Wi-Fi network back to Corpus Christi

The city of Corpus Christi, Texas, on Tuesday reacquired responsibility for a municipal Wi-Fi network it sold to national Internet service provider EarthLink a year ago for $5.3 million.

The unusual arrangement was initiated by EarthLink, which is re-evaluating its involvement in the management of citywide wireless networks, a popular concept that has run into problems in a number of cities in the U.S.

The Corpus Christi network was built initially for automated water and gas meter readings, but in March 2007 the city saw public and commercial Wi-Fi potential and sold the network to EarthLink and became the ISP's anchor tenant.

Since then EarthLink has had a change of heart about its arrangement with a number of cities including Corpus Christi and informed the city of its desire to opt-out of its contract.

The city decided to accommodate EarthLink, and negotiated what seems like a good parting deal.

EarthLink paid Corpus Christi $3.71 million in cash, which means it still owed $1.59 million. EarthLink made $1.76 million in network improvements and will pass on $860,000 worth of radio equipment.

No money will change hands in the reacquisition of the network and the city estimates that it has netted $3.19 million on the deal.

"The city will forgo EarthLink's remaining payment and take the network back with all its assets," said John Sendejar, acting general manager for the city's wireless corporation. "Given the circumstances, we feel that these are good conditions to reacquire the network."

Except for the management of 10 hotspots which are part of EarthLink's legacy, Corpus Christi will use the network for municipal services and steer clear of consumer Wi-Fi.

The city will use the network primarily for services such as meter reading, traffic video, and restaurant inspections.

It plans to add asset tracking, automated vehicle location, and remote monitoring among other municipal applications, and the network would be run as a sort of public utility rather than as a commercial business.

EarthLink is an Internet service provider headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. It claims 5.4 million members (2004 estimate).

Photo: Wi-Fi network back to Corpus Christi

Wi-Fi network back to Corpus Christi