Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: apple, iphone, 3g | Themes: Smartphones
According to an email reply sent to a user from Steve Jobs himself, Apple is in talks with AT&T to figure out a reasonable iPhone data-tethering plan. The plan will allow users to attach their iPhone or iPhone 3G to a computer and use the data feed as a primary or secondary internet connection.
Currently, users are unable to do this with AT&T’s blessing. While users can use apps such as NetShare, there’s risk that a big fat data bill will be sent out at the end of the billing cycle. Even with methods such as NetShare, AT&T officially does not allow tethering on the iPhone. This has left many iPhone users frustrated because tethering plans are available on other 3G phones.
According to a report on Gizmodo, Jobs responded by saying:
"We agree, and are discussing it with ATT.
Steve"
No confirmation though on whether the email is just a rumor mill beginning to spin. However, it does make sense as data tethering is something that’s been requested constantly. Nullriver’s NetShare app is no longer on the iPhone App Store for obvious reasons. Those who were able to snag the application before its removal are lucky.
At this time, there’s no indication on whether a real tethering feature will be added (it makes sense), or what its price will be. Many are saying that AT&T will likely charge an additional $30/month for a tethering plan. At this cost, tethering would already cost more than most people’s primary broadband connection, and would most likely be stipulated by usage patterns — most ISPs are now regulating how much data their customers can transfer on a per month basis. Things could get even more expensive than they are now.
Is tethering on the iPhone worth $30/month more than its current costs? You tell us.
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30$ + 30$ + IM fees... Doesn't sound like 'unlimited' to me...
NO NO NO...maybe $5 but not $30.
This phone should not even be on sale at this time until the resolve the 3G issues. The only reason there isn't more outrage is the average itard has no idea what 3G how suppose to work. I demonstrated the problem with every single one that we have a the office 11 total every single one had the problem.
3G is stupidly overrated. Most people should have 3G off unless you are doing hard core surfing. and in most cases you have wifi available. If i'm out and using something I need speed I will turn on 3g, but until then Edge is the way to go always. less battery, better reception and adequate bandwidth for most browsing and email use.
The proposed iPhone plan sounds familiar, as all the cellular broadband plans I have researched have turned out to be almost identical in two key areas:
Total cost is $60/month for "unlimited" (device does not matter - if you have a smart phone, you typically a premium to your plan for data access from the phone. To tether it, the add on cost for unlimited data almost always brings the cost to $60/month. This is the same $60 for a full plan on a dedicated device.)
"unlimited" means 5GB data transfer per month. (Yes, even Sprint has gone this route now. Quite disappointing.)
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I have yet to see a cellular broadband plan (which means dial up to 2M speeds typically) cost less than a classical broadband plan. Then again, when I went on vacation, I wasn't able to access my cable internet while traveling. However, being able to jump online when in an unfamiliar region to hunt down services (gas prices, where the nearest drug store is, where hotels and auto repair services are, and so forth) was a life saver. Add it the ability to "e-Commute" to work on bad weather days (or when waiting for the cable guys to come by and fix the system... again), and for my $60/month is well worth it.
According to an email reply sent to a user from Steve Jobs himself, Apple is in talks with AT&T to figure out a reasonable iPhone data-tethering plan. The plan will allow users to attach their iPhone or iPhone 3G to a computer and use the data feed as a
AT&T May Introduce iPhone Tethering Plan : Read more