Atlanta Test Marketing
December 19, 2001, Santa Rosa, CA -- BroadLink Communications today announced that is has reached an agreement with EarthLink, Inc. (ELNK: NASDAQ), a leading national Internet service provider, to begin test marketing high-speed, fixed-wireless broadband access to EarthLink customers in Atlanta. Currently EarthLink has more than 406,000 high-speed customers nationwide through its cable, DSL and satellite offerings. Through this agreement, a portion of EarthLink's Atlanta customers may soon have the option of high-speed, fixed-wireless Internet access.
The offering is based on BroadLink's deployment of Cisco's high-speed 802.11b base station radios co-located on traditional cell sites around the Atlanta region. BroadLink provides the subscribers with all the equipment necessary to receive its service. The equipment consists of an outdoor flat-panel antenna and wireless modem consisting of a low-cost, 802.11b PCMCIA radio card inserted into BroadLink's proprietary intelligent computing platform (x86-based). This low-cost computing platform operates the patent-pending BrightEDGESM technology that allows radio equipment typically used for low-density WLAN deployments indoors to be used in a high-speed public network outside. The technology enables the scalable performance, monitoring and security of the low-cost 802.11b system necessary to provide such services. (For more information about the workings of the Cisco and BroadLink technologies at: http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/pd/witc/ao340ap/profiles/brdc_sc.htm.)
"EarthLink is committed to offering its customers the high-speed Internet solution that best meets their needs", said Tom Andrus, vice president of products and services at EarthLink. "We're excited to work with BroadLink because its unique, easy to provision service offering builds on our existing cable, DSL and two-way satellite high-speed services."
Bob Handell, President and CEO of BroadLink, said, "EarthLink is a leader in Internet access and we are enthusiastic about partnering with them in their effort to provide new and innovative high-speed access options to their customers. We think our patent pending BrightEDGESM technology will benefit EarthLink users since it enables unique capabilities such as network performance management as well as simpler customer set-up and support.
EarthLink is test marketing the service at an introductory price of $42.95 per month (regularly $49.95 per month) with the initial set-up, equipment and installation charges waived (normally $379). EarthLink and BroadLink have plans to expand the offering to other markets across the US later in 2002. Details about the offer can be found online at: http://www.earthlink.net/home/broadband/hswireless/.
The #1 Provider of the Real InternetTM, EarthLink brings the magic of the Internet to approximately 4.8 million subscribers every day. Headquartered in Atlanta, EarthLink provides a full range of innovative access, hosting and e-commerce solutions to thousands of communities over a nationwide network of dial-up points of presence, as well as high-speed access and wireless technologies. EarthLink is committed to doing an exceptional job of pleasing its subscribers, shareholders and the community by following the company's Core Values and Beliefs. Information about EarthLink services is available by calling 800-395-8425 and through EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net.
BroadLink's service provides Internet access speeds for consumers and businesses up to 50 times faster than dial-up. The company has both a consumer/SOHO and Business service offerings. BroadLink's fixed wireless allows customers to bypass the traditional phone network. Its services are not limited by distance like DSL since wireless coverage can be added in virtually any area. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, the company is a recognized innovator in the emerging wave of fixed-wireless broadband technology. The company is committed to delighting its customers by providing the speed necessary to meet the demands made on Internet connections. Currently available in Santa Rosa and Stockton, California, and most recently deployed in Atlanta, GA, it is extending its coverage areas across California as well as certain markets across the nation. Information about BroadLink services is available by calling (707) 566-6300 and through BroadLink's Web site at www.broadlink.com.