While most people already have DSL and cable as options for connecting to the Internet at a reasonable clip, Sprint is betting you'll think jumping ship to its new WiMax network will be well worth the effort. While building a nationwide WiMax network will take some time — it's not expected to be completed until 2008 — once complete, it will allow people to connect wirelessly at broadband speeds from anywhere, with no wireless router needed. By setting up a nationwide network that doesn't have the transfer limitations of something like Verizon's EV-DO setup, it could completely change the hotspot culture of needing to find a coffee shop in order to check your email while on the go. Instead, devices ranging from laptops to portable music players could connect to the Net and download content from anywhere. Furthermore, having WiMax as a third (and arguably much better) option in the broadband marketplace would break up the high prices and relatively low speeds customers currently have to settle for with their limited options. WiMax certainly has the potential to revolutionize how people connect to the Internet, making the entire country one giant hotspot and making small wireless networks and the security issues they raise a thing of the past. We'll certainly keep you updated as this technology progresses and comes closer to becoming a reality. — Adam Frucci

Business Week, via Gizmodo