my 0,000000001 cents

If we observe how it all started, in the Nordic countries, in the 80s, it was too expensive to build lines to supply telephone networks in the Northern part: density reached a near zero inhab / km2. But the Nordic societies have a cult for equality and modernity, so the States decided to invest in building the networks. It was very easy: at this time, all the teleoperators were public, and I think not even companies but extension of the public administration: the people did not have a word to say, and boom, nmt network was up and running. First devices were made by eletrical equipment local companies. Such as Nokia, a conglomerate supplying among other things electric cable and rubber (needed for the cable), but also rubber boots!

If it had to be a private investment decision, sure no one would have accepted to wait 15 years to see a net return. And players involved in competing technologies are trying to brake on as much as they can. As natural as the brake on electric cars.

I guess this is the issue with Wimax. Furthermore, teleoperators can see their business model collapse if a critical size of users stop spending on calls and use VOIP on long range wimax connection.