Everyone dreams about that day when Wi-MAX will arrive. There will be some obvious advantages, but as this exciting story, “When Pigs Wi-Fi” by Nicolas D. Kristof in the New York Times shows some people are not bothering to wait…

“Today, this chunk of arid farm country appears to be the largest Wi-Fi hot spot in the world, with wireless high-speed Internet access available free for some 600 square miles. Most of that is in eastern Oregon, with some just across the border in southern Washington.”

Google Earth “HERMISTON, Ore” and you will find this community is in the boondocks. An area along the last few miles of the Columbia River before it drains into the Pacific.

Like the boondock country of Estonia, a couple of international petroleum companies provide free wireless access at most gas stations when you drop by to top up your tank. And cities like Philadelphia are planning similar projects to the one in Hermiston, Oregon.

Convergence may be a tiring word to hear, but these projects along with the Skype Zones on the Boingo Wi-Fi network and the Skype Wi-Fi Phone highlight just how much mobility we will have.

Mobile on Skype and almost free. Hard to beat. I live in the boondocks; I hope my community is next.