Milwaukee Public Schools Selects EarthLink Business for Communications Services

ATLANTA, Aug. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK), a leading IP infrastructure and services company, today announced that the Milwaukee Public School System, the nation's 33rd largest urban school district, selected EarthLink Business™  as its new communications provider. EarthLink has implemented a 228 site network delivering integrated voice and data services throughout the district.

Increasingly challenged to provide more services with fewer resources, the Milwaukee Public Schools needed a provider that could deliver a cost effective solution without compromising on technology, infrastructure, customization or deployment. MC2, an EarthLink Business channel partner, introduced EarthLink Business, which worked to help develop a customized solution for the school system.

The Milwaukee Public Schools selected EarthLink Business due to its innovative approach to network design, its ability to consolidate billing and to provide a redundant solution which would ensure business continuity.  As an E-Rate certified provider, EarthLink was able to apply an E-Rate program grant, which provides funding for schools to achieve online connectivity, to the network.  The rapid and smooth conversion of services was also an important factor, as long downtime would compromise student safety during summer school. EarthLink coordinated and completed a two-day, non-stop conversion and installation.

"Clearly in this economic environment, our primary goals are cost management and ensuring network reliability," said Jim Davis, Director of IT, Milwaukee Public Schools. "EarthLink took immediate ownership of our issues and was extremely responsive and focused on our needs. They pulled together a truly stellar team to develop a solution and to accomplish such a rapid and challenging transition."

EarthLink Business Vice President of Channel Partners J.R. Cook added, "The Milwaukee Public School System's mission to educate the next generation is critical, and EarthLink Business is proud to be making an immediate and positive impact toward that end. As the communications and technology needs of the schools continue to evolve, we stand ready to help them keep pace with this change and provide mission-critical communications services."

About Milwaukee Public Schools

The Milwaukee Public School district, the 33rd largest district in the United States, is comprised of 118 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 40 high schools and 18 schools with combined grades.  Schools are a mix of traditional, charter alternative and partnership schools.  In addition, the district operates an Early Childhood and Head Start program.

About MC2

Milwaukee-based MC2, Incorporated has provided telecommunications sales and service to businesses in the Midwest since its inception in 2000. MC2, located at 1106 South 1st Street in Milwaukee, provides wireline voice and data services as an EarthLink channel partner.

About EarthLink

EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK) is a leading provider of Internet Protocol (IP) infrastructure and services to medium-sized and large businesses, enterprise organizations and over 1.5 million consumers across the United States. The company has been providing Internet access and communications services for decades and has earned an award-winning reputation for both outstanding customer service and product innovation. EarthLink Business™ provides managed services, IT security, voice, data, mobile and equipment services over a 28,000 mile fiber network and MPLS-based services nationwide. For consumers, EarthLink is a leading Internet Service Provider connecting people to the power and possibilities of the Internet. For more information, visit EarthLink's website www.earthlink.net.

SOURCE EarthLink, Inc.