Confirmed: iPhone tethering plan making its way to AT&T
Finally, one of the many “every other smartphone can do it, why can’t the iPhone?” complaints constantly read throughout the blogosphere is about to be addressed – AT&T will soon make an iPhone tethering plan available to customers. AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph De La Vega might not have addressed rumors that AT&T’s struggling 3G network was the cause behind the delays, but he did make it clear that AT&T would begin offering the plan “soon”. AT&T might have a new problem now however. With jailbreaking as easy and popular as it has become, will the existence of an official iPhone tethering plan, no doubt carrying a monthly premium comparable to other Smartphone tethering plans, be widely adopted? Surely if AT&T’s tethering option were made available back when the iPhone 3G was released, many would have hopped on board. Five months later however, many of those with a real need for laptop connectivity have likely found a solution in the free jailbreak option. Only time will tell how widely the new plan is adopted but the hope is that AT&T’s new tethering option will become available with the impending release of the iPhone 2.2 software update. So iPhone users, are you planning to ditch your free jailbreak option and jump on board?
PDAnet, is probably the best thing i’ve ever come across. why pay extra money?? apart from the phone getting hot, it’s really good.
oh, and first…
I am really tired of reading everything about the iphone that’s why I have not sold mine and I use it as an ipod. And as of now I love the bold I wonder whether or not I can tether it I prolly can but I am happy with it I have ny aim msn and talk always in the background unlike the iphone
The iPhone needs decent 3G access first. I can get faster 3G aircards from AT&T. True, they cost more and it’s an extra piece of equipment – but I’m addicted to my gadgets.
How widely is tethering really used anyway? Don’t most people that have a real need for 3G laptop access get an aircard? Tethering for any length or time would seem like an annoying barrier to mobility. Can you talk on the phone and be connected at the same time?
@ Zeek
YEah, with at&t’s 3G, you can talk and use data at the same time. That includes tethering.
LOL, I tethered 4G of data one month with my Samsung Blackjack. It’s pretty awesome not to have so many bills coming in from different places. I canceled my landline and my DSL service and started tethering. Can’t wait to tether with my iPhone.
Totally agree with the PDANET solution. There is no reason to pay extra for AT&T tethering when PDANET is free.
Uhhh… Excuse my noobness, but what’s PDAnet about?
@ NovA
PDAnet is a 3rd party program that is used to get free internet via the iPhone 3G’s 3G data. It is used by many people who jailbreak their iPhone and most importantly, it’s free.
I have downloaded it and once I get my MacBook Pro, I will start to use it A LOT… Hopefully AT&T doesn’t shut me off for it. LOL. But if they do, I’ll just get a Blackberry Storm and switch to Verizon.
Hey does anyone know how to make an ad-hoc connection on a desktop that doesn’t have wireless capability? I just want to try PDAnet out and I don’t have a laptop yet. I have a Dell XPS 420.
Oh yeah, the desktop has Vista on it and when I get to the “network and sharing” menu, it doesn’t give me an option to “create a new ad-hoc wireless connection” I’m pretty sure that will be important info…
Thanks for the clear up Hi-Def. I got at&t right now and being able to do both data and voice at the same time is great. Altho… I’m still liking that storm pref. without the VZW contract.
Hell no, stick with my JB. AT&T can keep their xtra bloodsucking plans.
Yup, PDANet is indeed remarkably easy and useful. We only have Edge in my area (and I have the original iPhone, not the 3G) but using it to tether the notebook and check websites and email is WONDERFUL. Plus, while traveling, if I have a cell signal, I have internet! I had bought PDANet back in the day for my Treo, but now it’s free for the iPhone! Those folks are my heroes.
Bill