Xfernal's Techno-Dev Mumbling

WiFi Nation? I stumbled accross a very interesting website called FON. It is based in Spain, but has a global mission and is supposedly launching in a couple of weeks. Basically, they are about to release an application that works on the Linksys WRT54G that will enable it to "share" your WiFi connection.

From their FAQ's:
What are the advantages of joining FON?
If you are a Linus, then you have free access to the whole FON network, where besides surfing the Internet you will very soon be able to make phone calls at a very low price. If you are a Bill then you make money out of your Internet access.

But, what will WiMax do to this idea. A single device could cover 30 miles. Why would I want to use spotty wifi connections when for a small monthly fee I can hook into a very fast WiMax connection? Of course everything will still rely on whatever WiMax device's real "wired" backbone network it is tied into. And, all the big carriers will undoubtedly cap upload/download speeds. I am sure carrier User Agreements will make it unauthorized to "share" your internet access. I just can't imagine a grassroots "Unified WiFi Network" will fly here in the U.S. It would defintely be cool, but the big carriers will seek to abolish such applications I am sure.