AT&T to Charge $20 for iPhone Hotspot Feature
The same charge as to tether.
At the iPad 2 event, Apple also unveiled iOS 4.3, which introduces the Personal Hotspot feature for iPhone 4.
This feature, already available on the Verizon iPhone 4, takes the network's 3G connection and uses the phone's wireless chip to create a Wi-Fi network that allows up to five (turns out it's only three over Wi-Fi) other devices to connect to the Internet. Essentially, it's iPhone tethering, but using Wi-Fi instead of USB or Bluetooth.
Not surprisingly, this feature won't be enabled for free on AT&T. Users who want to take advantage of this new feature will have to subscribe to the same DataPro plan that's required for tethering. That plan totals at $45, which includes the $25 2GB data allowance and the extra $20 for tethering access.
Good news for Canadian iPhone 4 users, however, as Rogers Wireless has confirmed that it will be continuing to offer free tethering services – including the Hotspot feature for iOS 4.3 – for all users with a 1GB data plan and higher. Telus as well as Bell and its subsidiary Virgin also confirmed that those with tethering enabled on the account will be getting this feature for free.
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Well, bend over Canada. We're getting this for free, but I guarantee we'll get it from the backside someplace else!
This is stupid. If you jailbreak and use mywi, this is free all around.
I see a jailbreak in the near future for my 4.
keep nikel and diming your customers at&t most the peopel i knwo who had iphones have already changes to verixon now ... and its because of things like this
AT&T blows monkey butt. I went back to them 3 times over the last decade. Last time was in 2009. They are crap. Sprint, Verizon, TMobile... but never AT&T.
its funny how everyone is reporting that this will cost $20. I have call Apple and ATT multiple times and have been told the same thing consistently. IT IS FREE!
This is stupid. If you jailbreak and use mywi, this is free all around.
Agreed. Same with android, why pay $20/mo. either on AT&T or Verizon for mobile hotspot when if you root it and use Wireless Tether, it's totally free and cost's nothing.
What a ripoff
wow android has this for free.
*laughing*
I guess stupidity has its price.
I been using free tethering for the last 3 years. Nothing for me to see here...
is tomcatant right?
Here's the real kicker: There is no way to keep an unlimited data plan and add tethering any more. So, I say bollocks to that, everyone use their minds, and take what we are entitled to with out further rape from the already huge and wealthy conglomerate AT&T. Jailbreak the iPhone or mod the android, tether for free.
Good news for MyWi users, you can already do this for....what is it, a $15, one-time free? And you can crack it for free too. So, good job Apple -.-
What I want to know is how does the carrier even know? Unless it's something built into the software.
A friend of mine says tether costs extra on her plan on Vodafone here in the UK, but she uses the Wi-Fi hotspot feature in Android Froyo without any problems - it all just counts towards her data usage.
AT&T's policy: even when losing customers and face, still charge every penny you can from your customers.
Yup, I work for a similarly stupid big business. Completely different product, but when the economy went to crap, they said "we are not making any money because people aren't buying - so we need to jack up our prices for those that are to cover ourselves"... all the while, our competaters were getting all of our old customers... who puts these idiots in charge? If you make your products more easily available and attractive - more people will buy it, and you will make huge profits in the long run. it's a win-win. No brainer right? Well apparently these execs don't have brains.