Vonage Enters Wireless Internet Market

There is apparently plenty of room on the municipal Wi-Fi locomotive, as evidenced by Vonage’s recent announcement that it will resell EarthLink Wi-Fi Internet access in select U.S. cities.

Vonage will buy wholesale access from EarthLink in all cities where EarthLink builds, owns, and operates municipal Wi-Fi networks, and will sell it to consumers under the Vonage brand. Currently, EarthLink has Wi-Fi up and running in Philadelphia, New Orleans, Anaheim, Calif., and Milpitas, Calif., with more cities in the works.

According to Vonage, later this year the company will provide hardware, such as wireless modems, and other complementary software tools to consumers who use its Wi-Fi access as an alternative to DSL or cable. More interestingly, the company hinted that future plans could involve a next-generation Vonage Wi-Fi phone, which would work on the network.

“The size and scope of the potential Voice over Internet Protocol market is vast, with mainstream consumers representing a significant opportunity,” said Jeffrey Citron, the chairman and chief strategist of Vonage Holdings, in a statement. “Providing customers with access to newly-built municipal Wi-Fi networks is a perfect complement to our platform helping us reach a greater percentage of consumers and giving them the flexibility and mobility they want.”