ISPs derail low-cost city Internet plans

PHILADELPHIA, March 22 (UPI) -- Philadelphia's plan to give nearly cost-free Internet to the entire city has been derailed as Internet companies withdraw from WiFi deals, a report said.

The city publicized its plan in 2005 to install the country's biggest Wi-Fi system, covering 135 square miles and providing residents, mainly the poor, with Internet service, The New York Times reported Saturday.

Thirteen large cities, including San Francisco, Houston and Chicago, and many smaller ones jumped on board for the new low-cost Internet plan, which has been halted by major Internet provider's decisions to pull out of the deals, citing fears that it would not create revenue.

"All these cities had this hype hangover late last year when EarthLink announced its intentions to pull out. Now that they're all sobered up, they're trying to figure out if it's still possible to capture the dream of providing affordable and high-speed access to all residents," said Craig Settles, an independent wireless consultant and author of "Fighting the Good Fight for Municipal Wireless."