Simplistically, there 2 parts - backbone and last mile. The last mile part wasn't solved by 2.4GHz, yet the situation has significantly improved - Google free w

Simplistically, there 2 parts - backbone and last mile. The last mile part wasn't solved by 2.4GHz, yet the situation has significantly improved - Google free wifi for example is an example of a [still limited] solution to the "last mile". Any significant improvements upon WiFi will make "last mile" solvable much better and cheaper in many more places. Cell phone wise - lets say we have 3000ft range in superWiFi instead of WiFi 300ft. Would the overlaps be enough to imagine a robust voice/data carrying by hoping from router to router (FidoNet style) with coverage similar to the early days of cell phones? So while there wouldn't be an end to the carriers (whom we're kidding - the Ma'Bell is practically still alive) there are big improvements to come.