The Washington, D.C. area has a number of small operators using Wi-Fi to offer high-speed access to businesses and residential Internet users: An In-Stat/MDR analyst estimates that about 1,000 small operators sell wireless Internet access but what's interesting about the D.C.-area operators is that they're targeting customers in or very near cities. Typically small operators have targeted rural areas that don't have any other option for broadband connectivity. Perhaps the popularity of using wireless in the home is making wireless seem a more acceptable way for end users to get Internet access.
These companies can so easily distinguish themselves from the big operators by offering quality service and good customer service.