Our Approach
Our Digital Future Program offers flexible, customizable plans to help each city promote digital inclusion in their communities and make Wi-Fi accessible and affordable for all. The program also identifies organizations and other funding sources with likeminded goals to partner with us in our efforts. In addition, the program leverages relationships with experienced individuals and organizations at either a national or local level. The foundation of the Digital Future Program is T.E.A.C.H.

Our Areas of Focus—T.E.A.C.H.

There are five primary areas of focus for the EarthLink Digital Future Program:

TRAINING
Individuals and community organizations need to be skilled in the proper use of our Wi-Fi networks to maximize their experience. The Digital Future Program helps to develop and distribute local and online training, and also seeks to identify other groups that do this.

EDUCATION
Understanding technology is increasingly important for our children's future well-being. That's why reaching school-aged children at various grade levels is a high priority for the Digital Futures Program. Students are potentially the heaviest users of the Internet and have the most to gain from the integration of Wi-Fi into their lives. EarthLink's commitment to education includes providing discounted access as well as programs for teachers.

ACCESS
EarthLink’s most valuable contribution to the Digital Future Program is also what we do best: delivering reliable, award-winning Internet access. The program will help cities provide affordable access as well as free service in designated public areas.

CONTENT
EarthLink can help new users navigate the confusing and overwhelming choices and destinations available on the Internet. We will provide a Web site (the Digital Future Portal) as a starting place with trusted and valuable content sources and links.

HARDWARE
EarthLink helps underserved users secure discounted equipment by connecting recipients with equipment suppliers. Additionally, EarthLink Municipal Networks works with city partners to identify ways to help fund customer premise equipment (or wireless modems) for residents unable to purchase the equipment on their own.

T.E.A.C.H Pilot EarthLink launched its first Digital Future T.E.A.C.H. pilot on March 1, 2007, at the Featherfist homeless children's shelter in Chicago. Offering "unwired" computer labs with high-speed Internet service, this is the first of 18 such shelters across Chicago that will benefit from EarthLink's efforts to provide Internet access for individuals and families of all economic backgrounds. The program was a collaborative effort combining the time, talents, and resources of EarthLink with local small business, non-profits and the public school system - demonstrating that EarthLink can work with communities to T.E.A.C.H. partners how to eliminate the digital divide. Learn more about the T.E.A.C.H Pilot Launch Read Press Release Watch news clip video Closing Celebration: Invitation and Letter Learn more about our partners Featherfist Computers for Schools Blackwell Consulting Chicago Public School's - Homeless Education Department
TechScholar The Mayor's TechScholar Program was created in consultation with Mayor Curt Pringle of Anaheim, California. This unique scholarship program offers local high school juniors and seniors the chance to receive a new laptop computer and up to two years of free EarthLink Wi-FiSM service in Anaheim! To find out more, go to: www.anaheim.net.		Wireless Philadelphia EarthLink has also joined with non-profit Wireless Philadelphia to provide affordable city-wide wireless Internet access—including discounted monthly subscriptions for qualified low-income residents. Launched in September 2006, the Wireless Philadelphia project is on track to be completed in late 2007, and will encompass a network of 135 square miles within the City of Philadelphia. To learn more, go to: www.wirelessphiladelphia.org.

To learn more, please email DigitalFuture@corp.earthlink.net