Will Wi-Max kill the Wi-Fi hotspot?

Wireless Internet service works great – so long as you’re in a Wi-Fi hotspot. But what if you could have wireless Internet everywhere you go, available on your laptop and cell phone, at speeds that can leave both DSL and 3G data networks in the dust?

That’s what Sprint Nextel customers could get later this year, when the Reston, Va., carrier starts rolling out its $3 billion mobile Wi-Max network.

WiFi hot spots (with a 300 ft range) are an OK interim solution until Wi-Max (a few towers can cover an entire city) or something similar gets off the ground, but the ubiquitous internet that’s almost here will require something a lot like Wi-Max.

Truly fast wireless connectivity enables VOIP anywhere (to replace current local and mobile phone providers), IPTV (bye-bye local cable company), media streaming from home or an online service (no need for an expensive 60 gb video iPod), and lots of other cool stuff no one’s even thought of yet. Hopefully this isn’t too far off.