That seems really unlikely. Doesn't the FCC limit the range at which consumer radio products can transmit from their source? So, part of it is a technological l

That seems really unlikely. Doesn't the FCC limit the range at which consumer radio products can transmit from their source? So, part of it is a technological limitation of WiFi, but also legal. And long-distance WiFi already exists, isn't that what WiMax was? I don't think the telecom companies are going to be displaced very soon because the simplicity of never having to choose a network to connect to is just how people think. Continguous and unibiquitous mobile broadband is probably not on the horizon from someone who isn't a large telecom. The move to unlocked phones though, I think is spot on.