Gatespeed joins NextWeb's SkyWeb Wireless ISP NextWeb, which this fall announced a still-pending deal to be aquired by Covad Communications, said this week that fellow WISP Gatespeed Broadband has become a member of the SkyWeb Alliance, created by NextWeb and other WISPs to extend broadband wireless network coverage throughout California.

The addition of privately-owned Gatespeed – the first SkyWeb Alliance partner from the San Francisco Bay Area – expands NextWeb’s ability to sell service in the South Bay and Santa Cruz areas, according to a statement from the companies. Gatespeed currently serves business and residential customers between Livermore and Santa Cruz, and as far north as Redwood City. The companies uses access gear from Terabeam Wireless and Proxim Wireless (Proxim is now owned by Terabeam) in both licensed and license-exempt spectrum.

Under the terms of the alliance agreement, NextWeb and Gatespeed will offer each other capacity on their respective networks at wholesale rates and develop joint marketing and sales efforts for pre-WiMAX fixed-wireless services.

Dan Arra, CEO of Gatespeed Broadband, Inc., said in the statement, “Gatespeed has offered high speed Internet service since 1999 in the Bay Area, and by joining the SkyWeb Alliance we immediately increase our geographic coverage area and will soon leverage the improved performance of WiMax.”

“The SkyWeb Alliance program has proven to be very successful in promoting customer growth,” added Graham Barnes, CEO of NextWeb. “The program has evolved from a marketing and sales alliance program to an initiative that has had a great impact on our business. As pre-WiMAX strengthens its position as a true alternative to cable and DSL for high-speed Internet service, indirect sales are increasingly important to our continued success.”