WiMax, Telcos, and Wal-Mart

I've posted about WiMax before, and how the bandwidth that is being set aside for this technology is the same bandwidth the entertainment industry uses. While I'm not happy about the possibility of losing space for wireless mics and other devices we need to have, Intel has announced that it will start to build WiMax hardware. The tricky part is the licencing of the bandwidth from the FCC to operate the equipment.The telcos are upset because they stand to lose a lot of money, unless they get in the game.
Below is a link to I, Cringley's column on PBS where he talks about this situation. It is an interesting read, but the thought of WiMax everywhere makes me wince for the future of wireless as we know it.

What if Wal-Mart got in the WiMax Business?