Brief: EarthLink Scores California City Wi-Fi DealBrief: EarthLink Scores California City Wi-Fi Deal

Milpitas, Calif. picked EarthLink to build out a citywide Wi-Fi network. Milpitas was an early municipal adopter of Wi-Fi, having created a network for its police department in 2004.

The new 6.5-square mile deployment will provide high-speed Internet access while also delivering Wi-Fi network services for city employees, Earthlink said Wednesday.

The agreement calls for EarthLink to permit multiple, competing providers to use the mesh network to offer their services. EarthLink said the network will offer competitive alternative broadband services including wireless T-1 for small businesses.

EarthLink's Municipal Networks unit has been deploying Wi-Fi networks in communities throughout the country.