Telecommunications

Philadelphia - The Largest “Hot Spot” in the U.S.

Philadelphia has been in the national spotlight every since Mayor John F. Street announced plans to make the entire city completely wireless in 2004. And, guess what, the city is almost there, due the efforts of Wireless Philadelphia.

What is Wireless Philadelphia?

Wireless Philadelphia is a new nonprofit organization whose mission is to facilitate the deployment of a high-speed wireless Internet infrastructure throughout the City of Philadelphia, along with its for-profit partner Earthlink.

EarthLink is investing in the infrastructure necessary to build a wireless network across the City. To date, this network is operational is roughly 75% of the city and Wireless Philadelphia anticipates that by the end of 2007, the infrastructure will be in place to make wireless high-speed Internet access available throughout all 135 square miles of Philadelphia.

Digital Inclusion

Key to Wireless Philadelphia’s mission is the transformation of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods by making high-speed Internet access more available and affordable through Digital Inclusion – an initiative that helps low-income residents who are not online gain access through a program called T.E.A.C.H. which provides Training, Education, Access, Content and Hardware. With the provision of these services, low income citizens can begin to use this technology to improve their educational, employment, health and life opportunities.

Low-income households can take advantage of the Wireless Philadelphia Digital Inclusion Program through the following resources:

1. Have Internet services free of charge for the first year through EarthLink, and at A discounted rate $9.95 per month for the second year.
   
   
2. Receive technical training on how to connect their hardware, access the Internet and set-up email accounts
   
   
3. On going assistance via a “help desk” available through Wireless Philadelphia

Check out PhillyisOn.org

This is the online community where you can connect to the Wireless Philadelphia
Initiative and find out where to get on, how to get on, and what to do once you are on.  Just like the communities where we all live, PhillyisOn is a place where people can share ideas, find out what’s going on, and work together to make their city a better place.

Wireless Philadelphia is about our city being connected like never before.  It’s your key to the city, and to the world.

Phase I of PhillyisOn is at your fingertips, with Internet How To’s, web resources, and a few places to give us your suggestions and input.  As new features are added, users will be able to share ideas about using the internet for work, fun and much more.

For more information go to www.wirelessphiladelphia.org

Telecommunications