Tethering is not a total replacement for home internet - either DSL, or cable modem... it's a good supplement to them for use while you're away from home, or an accessible wifi.
Agreed.
Recently, my home wireless access point blinked and my PC switched to the MiFi. When I tried to do my video webcast from the PC, it crashed. That was with only one system using the wireless broadband connection. I have three PCs, a MacBook, an iPhone, an iPad, and two wireless printers using my home LAN.
Early in the year, my cable internet service was out for a week. While it was great to have wireless broadband as a backup, one would not want to use it exclusively.
Third generation broadband is simply not fast enough to serve as one's only internet connection. Enthusiasts suggest that fourth generation services might compete with wire or glass. it would be nice to hear from someone using a 4G service like Sprint's Wimax.