Superb article on how "wider-fi" -- wireless first/final mile -- could have an impact: This excellent piece of mainstream journalism clearly identifies the hurdles and potentials for operating and purchasing wireless links and avoiding telco/cable wire. The term "wider-fi" isn't in wide use, but it's an interesting alternative to "Wi-Fi." More likely, WiMax, the trademark of The WiMax Forum, will take off as a term. It's not as euphonious as Wi-Fi, but it'll get some good mileage.
I had read about such a wireless broadband carrier in Chicago. It's called American Wireless Broadband (www.AWB.us). From their coverage maps on the web site, I can see I'm not yet in the subscription area and have yet to try the service. They use spread spectrum technology giving speeds of 1.5 Mbps+, at a price starting at $49.95/month. Further info at the web site.
This sounds great compared to my other options in the far NW side of Chicago.