Remember that municipal Wi-Fi network EarthLink built in the city of Philadelphia? Network Acquisition Co. bought it from EarthLink in 2008. Now the city intends to purchase it from Network Acquisition for $2 million.
The city is exercising an option in an agreement signed in August, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.
The city said the purchase will be the first in a series of steps to create a wireless network it will use to enhance public safety, improve government efficiency and provide Internet access in targeted public places, according to the report.
The city said creating that network will require it to spend nearly $17 million over its 2011 through 2015 fiscal years. The money would go to building out both the core fiber network it already owns and the wireless mesh network it intends to purchase from Network Acquisition, which is a privately held firm based in Philadelphia.
The city expects to be able to start using the network in a pilot mode as early as spring 2010.
