Seeking to extend its broadband offerings beyond cable and digital subscriber line links, EarthLink Inc. is teaming up with Digitalpath Networks to launch a new high-speed wireless service in Northern California.

The launch marries EarthLink's Internet service with Digitalpath's existing wireless deployment to 19 Northern California communities including Chico, Sacramento and Redding.

Based in Chico, Digitalpath has been offering wireless service in the region for about two years. Unlike other fixed-wireless outfits, its proprietary wireless technology doesn't use towers to shepherd Internet traffic to and from users. An external modem connected to an antenna mounted on the customer's home fires a signal to neighborhood relay points, which in turn ferry the signals to an Internet gateway.

The EarthLink service will offer two speed tiers — a maximum 384 kilobit-per-second downstream connection for $21.95 monthly, and a maximum 1 Megabit-per-second service for $29.95 monthly. Customers also will have access to EarthLink services including antivirus, antispam and security software.

"Residents of Northern California can now benefit from a new wireless technology as EarthLink continues to expand its national high-speed footprint," said Steve Howe, vice president of corporate strategy at EarthLink. "By partnering with Digitalpath, EarthLink is once again demonstrating that it will take advantage of multiple service platforms to best meet the high-speed needs of its customers."

The service is now available in Anderson, Biggs, Chester, Chico, Corning, Granite Bay, Gridley, Lake Almanor, Orland, Oroville, Quincy, Portola, Redding, Rocklin, Roseville, Susanville, Westwood, Willows and Yuba City. Digitalpath and Earthlink also plan to add the communities of Elk Grove, Folsom, Florin, Lincoln, Lodi, Modesto, Parkway, Rio Linda and Stockton, Calif.; and Reno, Sparks, and Sun Valley, Nev.

Earthlink's support of the Digitalpath technology extends beyond the service rollout. The Atlanta-based Internet service provider took part in Digitalpath's recent investment round via a subsidiary, Sacramento-based ISP Earthlink Networks.

The ISP also has delved into powerline broadband service, and is currently fielding a technology test involving 500 homes in Wake County, N.C.