MetroFi Exits Calif., Ore., Ill.

June 20, 2008 10:49 a.m. EST

Mountain View, CA (AHN) - MetroFi has reportedly decided to pull the plug on free wireless networks in three states: California, Oregon and Illiniois. The news follows the decision by Earthlink to walk away from a free Wi-Fi network built in Philadelphia, Pa.

The MetroFi networks to close are a citywide Wi-Fi system begun in 2006 in Portland, Ore. that was only partially complete and California networks in Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, San Jose, Foster City, Concord and Riverside. In Illinois, the company plans to shutter networks in Aurora and Naperville.

The closures come after MetroFi announced it would cease most work unless it found more money.

Earlier this week, private investors said they will operate the Earthlink Wi-Fi network, preventing the citywide free wireless system from going dark in Philadelphia.