Now that the internet has become more than just a fad, cities are realizing that cheap access to broadband is a great benefit. Unfortunately the FCC has ruled recently that the incumbent telecom companies do not have to share their copper wires with competitors. But there is a loophole: Wireless.

Philadelphia is inching towards realizing its WiFi dream, a dream that is shared by other cities like San Francisco. Today the word has come that Hewlett Packard and Earthlink are two companies that have been shortlisted for building out a Philadelphia-wide WiFi network, beating out groups that include AT&T;-led consortia.

Many cities will be jumping on the WiFi bandwagon and the trend couldn’t come at a better time for ISPs like Earthlink who will now lose access to millions of customers because of the FCC ruling.