I cannot think of any other electronics-based technology that has seen so little improvement in over a hundred years. You might expect that better technologies are available, and, of course, you're right. Unfortunately, these technologies are expensive and complicated. There are emerging technologies that are superior to the current system and that are intended to land on every desk. One example is cable modem technology.
Cable modems allow computers to talk over the cable television network.
This is only one of many promising technologies under development. While we want new technology, getting the best new technology shouldn't be our top priority. I mentioned that we will soon have a choice of technologies, but this is one time when we don't want a selection. We want a technology that is standardized, so that everyone can communicate together. If you remember the Beta versus VHR debate for VCR tape formats, you'll understand how a choice of technologies can hurt, rather than help.