EarthLink signs high-speed Internet deal with AT&T Broadband

ATLANTA - EarthLink and AT&T Broadband said Tuesday they have signed an agreement in which EarthLink will offer high-speed Internet service on AT&T Broadband&#39;s network, initially in Seattle and Boston. <br> <br> EarthLink will begin offering the service in additional cities next year, although the companies declined to say how many or where. No financial terms were disclosed. <br> <br> &#34;This deal really serves as an example of how ISPs and broadband network providers can work together,&#34; Bill Schleyer, AT&T Broadband&#39;s chief executive, said in a conference call. &#34;It&#39;s a win for the consumer, and it&#39;s a win for the two companies.&#34; <br> <br> Atlanta-based EarthLink also provides high-speed access on Time Warner Cable systems in 24 markets. <br> <br> AT&T Broadband is the largest cable provider in the United States with 13.6 million cable customers, including 1.5 million who subscribe to AT&T Broadband Internet. <br> <br> The EarthLink deal comes as AT&T Broadband is attempting to win regulatory approval for its sale to Comcast Cable, which announced last month that it had also agreed to open its network to competing high-speed access by United Online Inc. <br> <br> EarthLink also has been conducting trials with Cox Communications and Comcast. <br> <br> EarthLink shares rose 88 cents, more than 9 percent, to $10.57 in morning trading Tuesday on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. Shares of AT&T were down 19 cents to $15.88 on the New York Stock Exchange.