The City was supposed to offer everyone WiFi access through all Philadelphia. EarthLink won the contract back in 2006 and since then has completed 80% of the network development. However since 2007, when former CEO Garry Betty passed away, the company has been rethinking their WiFi expansion strategy. Read cancel their expansion strategy.
EarthLink got out of similar deals with San Francisco or Houston and it's going to do so with other US cities, including Philadelphia. EarthLink have stopped working on the network since February and they are trying to fully pull out. Things aren't going to be that easy as the Mayor of Philly and his administration aren't going to back down from the deal. Stay strong Philadelphia. WiFi connection for our laptops and smart phones is what we want wherever we will go.
