If Earthlink's municipal Wi-Fi network figured into your remote access plan, you may want to think again. The company announced last week that it was halting investments in new muni builds and was committing to finish only selected projects currently in progress.

Earthlink said last week that it would finish the municipal build in the City of Philadelphia, but had not committed to run the project. The company did not clarify the status of builds it is working on in New Orleans, Anaheim and Corpus Christi.

The decision stems from the cost of building, and the likelihood that the company would not make money under its operating plan. Recently, Earthlink hired new CEO Rolla Huff, who promptly evaluated its municipal Wi-Fi program for viability. Based on the analysis, the company concluded that it could not reasonably continue the work without an adjustment in the program's business model.

The company estimates that its current municipal wireless program is worth about $40 million. The move is not surprising, since the company announced massive staff layoffs in the muni Wi-Fi division - including the program head - over the summer.