MuniWireless

By now, many of you have read about the rescue of Philadelphia’s citywide wireless networks. The gist of events is that Councilman Bill Green felt the network was a vital city asset that should be saved, so he initiated contact with potential investors a couple of days after the last deal imploded in May. The new investors structured a deal in which they are creating a service provider, Network Acquisition Company (NAC, a temporary name), to finish and operate the…

A group of investors has bought EarthLink’s Philadelphia municipal wireless network. Among the investors are Mark Rupp and Derek Pew, executives at Boathouse Communications Partners, an investment firm, and Richard Rasansky, a local entrepreneur.. Dave Hanna, chairman of Tropos Networks, is also part of the group (note: the Philadelphia network uses Tropos equipment). They will expand the network and offer wired and wireless service. News sources are reporting that the new owner plans to target institutions around the city as…