WiMAX is in the spotlight this week as Intel aims its promotional machine at the media and the developer community. And even though the actual product is still up to a year away (much later than expected) hope springs eternal. I, for one, do believe that WiMAX will be successful, but I do not believe WiMAX is a panacea.

The fixed line incumbents are wisely turning toward fiber to the home (FTTH). Fiber provides practically unlimited broadband to the premises, something that appears to be of increasing importance to many consumers. While WiMAX promises last-mile wireless, fiber promises to be the last wire you'll ever need.

For a glimpse at how this battle is being fought at the municipal level, check out this letter to the editor in the town of Truckee, a community near Lake Tahoe. The writer, an advocate for fiber, makes some good points about the weaknesses of WiMAX, particularly in a mountainous environment. But I think the larger issue is this: WiMAX is going to do a lot of good for millions, perhaps billions, of people. But if I were faced with a choice between WiMAX backhaul to my home and fiber backhaul, at similar costs, I would choose fiber.