Understanding WiMAX? Wireless mesh-networks?

Greetings,

Am after peoples opinions (those in the know anyhow) as to the upcoming (or
already here) WiMAX technology or mesh-networking.

Basically, I am after a solution that will blanket an area/radius of say,
15k's+ with limited LOS (so suburban areas).

Would one WiMAX base-station do the trick?

I am an employee at the local council and am investigating ways of
connecting households with varied (mostly suburban) topologies, to a
broadband solution.

Thanks