Chicago has scrapped its plans for a municipal WiFi service after failing to come to an agreement with either EarthLink or AT&T to build the network. The city cites the declining costs of Internet access and the advancement of other technologies (WiMAX, maybe?) as a reason for the deal going sour. Chicago had planned to offer the infrastructure but not the funding to build the network, but nine months of negotiations proved fruitless. AT&T and EarthLink, reportedly, wanted the city to commit to paying for using the WiFi network for city services, but the city did not agree. EarthLink is reportedly rethinking its municipal wireless strategy, too.
For more on Chicago's muniWiFi plans:
- read this article from the Chicago Tribune