Philadelphia (Wi Fi) Freedom

Philadelphia rarely gets respect. Could it in fact be the most progressive city in the country?

When it comes to the internet and housing, it might just be.

A pioneering plan to offer free wi fi in the city has been saved from a shutdown.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that a group of local investors will form a new for-profit company that will replace Earthlinnk as the system's operator. The new company, the paper says, is said to weighing an advertising-based business model that would provide free Internet access.

A number of cities have launched broadband initiatives, but the dream of free internet access for all has been elusive. Earthlink has pulled out of a planned network in San Francisco and will be leaving New Orleans. MetroFi shut down networks in nine cities, including Portland, Oregon.

Philadelphia can succeed where tech-savvy cities cannot? The home of Rocky, cheese steaks, and the Phillies? The city mocked by W.C. Fields, who proposed that his epitaph read "I'd rather be in Philadelphia," and patronized by the New York Times, which once suggested that it could be the sixth borough?

And freedom is a powerful force. The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the city sheriff who has refused to hold court-ordered foreclosure auctions, seeking to press lender and homeowner to work out a deal.

With little help coming from Washington, Philadelphia is one of number of cities and counties that are finding alternative approaches to the housing crisis.

That's Philadelphia freedom, baby.

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