EarthLink has added wireless networking to its extensive line of broadband services. Starting in April, it began offering subscribers the necessary hardware from 2Wire Inc.
Using 2Wires HomePortal 100 and 1000 residential gateways, EarthLink subscribers can have 802.11b wireless capabilities integrated into their broadband gateways, which will make it much easier to implement wireless access in homes and small offices—subscribers wont have to wire up their houses or small offices with Category 5 cabling.
In addition to wireless capabilities, the HomePortal gateways will provide firewall services and, eventually, voice-over-IP and video-on-demand services. As good as this sounds, I think it will be a while before the latter services become a necessity in the small-office/home-office market.
New gateways with wireless capabilities will run $299.95. More information on the HomePortal Gateways can be found at www.earthlink.net/home-networking.