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Having been in the trade in my engineering career, I am amazed of how far technology has advanced since I began in 1962. I was fortunate to be on the design end of many innovations that were thought impossible in the last four decades.
In the late '70s cell phones were 3k and huge. It was all analog and had severe performance limitations. Market pull was more of a factor than technology push and that is where the money comes in. Now, all cell phones are digital and that's where carriers a reaping huge profits from the bells and whistles everyone craves.
I ditched my copper 4 years ago. Everything, phone, INet and TV comes down my cable. My home is completely wireless without reliance of wire anywhere. Should power go, my cable modem has battery backup. Even in the absence of dial tone, I still can dial 911, far better than relying on VoIP.
I am a tech junky and in retirement have my lab and workshop where I do a lot of experimentation. My main project is developing efficient solar power to run my whole estate. In a few years, my reliance on infrastructure will be negligible and with a healthy garden, I won't have to worry who is president (or dictator).
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