EarthLink casts a wider broadband net

EarthLink said on Monday that its digital subscriber line service aimed at small businesses will now be available in 65 more locations.

The company said the expansion uses the nationwide network of Covad Communications. Among the new locations where this service will be available are Philadelphia; Baltimore; Orlando, Fla.; Minneapolis; New Orleans; San Diego; Portland, Ore.; San Antonio; and Salt Lake City.

The service is priced at $79.95 per month. That includes one month's free service and a rebate on hardware and the activation fee for a limited period. The service offers download speeds up to 1.5 Mbps.

The rush to expand DSL services is forcing Internet service providers and telephone companies that offer Internet services to make alliances with Web portals and target specific market segments with discounts and additional features.

EarthLink also announced an agreement to market its services through about 5,000 RadioShack stores. It will be the only dial-up internet provider offered in these stores, according to EarthLink.

Competition in that market has been heating up as well. Last month SBC Communications launched a broadband service for $26.95 a month, which came close to the price for America Online's premium dial-up service. Stung by such competition from broadband players, AOL plans to launch a stripped-down dial-up service for $9.95 a month.