In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina"s destruction of telecom infrastructure in New Orleans, officials are turning to wireless broadband for use by government workers.
Intel, a key backer of WiMax, and Cisco are donating wireless equipment to aid disaster workers. Experts say this could be a good opportunity to replace an antiquated system of copper wires with brand-new technology.
Industry experts contend that the devastation of Hurricane Katrina offers a chance to build the sort of modern network that phone and cable companies have promised for years. Such a network -- whether wireless or fiber-optic -- could deliver movies or medical records at speeds hundreds of times faster than current Internet connections.
Telecom executives and analysts, though, aren"t so sure it"s the right time or place.