AT&T to charge $30/month for tethering, says MacBlogz
Ars Technica's Justin Berka quotes MacBlogz, which claims a source at AT&T confirmed that tethering for the iPhone will closely resemble the phone-as-modem plans already available for BlackBerry.
The plan will cost at least $30 a month, and the cost will be rolled into a new plan for the iPhone. The source said that the plan will cap data transfer at 5GB, and AT&T will terminate the tethering connection if you go over the limit.
Also mentioned is the connection process: iTunes may be required to at least set up the initial tethering configuration, and may be required every time you connect.
Speeds will apparently start at 30kbps for areas serviced only by GPRS, and top out at 1000kbps for a really spectacular 3G connection. No release date was mentioned.
All this comes from deepest Rumorland, of course, so all due caution is advised. MacBlogz says the source has worked at AT&T for "some time now" and the rumor could be taken "relatively seriously."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Julian Weisser said 11:00AM on 11-12-2008
Isnt there a program that allows for free teathering (after the purchase of the app from the app store). 30 more bucks a month is absurd.
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Robert Palmer said 11:07AM on 11-12-2008
There's NetShare, which used to be available from the app store but isn't anymore. Apple pulled it. There are two other jailbreak apps, iModem and PDANet that work, too.
But no, there's no "officially sanctioned" free option.
doug said 7:03PM on 11-12-2008
this story should be quoting macblogz. they appear to be the original source. i am not sure how ars got into the headline. let's give the credit where credit is due.
Robert Palmer said 7:24PM on 11-12-2008
@doug: I *gave* credit. Did you not read the first sentence? I even linked back to their story. I put Ars: in the headline because it was shorter than "MacBlogz." Honestly, commenters here make an issue out of everything.
Oh, and love you, Doug!
Josh said 11:06AM on 11-12-2008
Hmm... pay $30/month to AT&T and only get 5GB data...
OR
jailbreak your phone and use PdaNet to tether unlimited amounts of data for FREE
Boy, that's a tough call.
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Frank said 11:07AM on 11-12-2008
"Ars Technica's Justin Berka quotes MacBlogz, which claims a source at AT&T confirmed that tethering for the iPhone will closely resemble the phone-as-modem plans already available for BlackBerry."
What? Can't you just normally right it? What a misleading first sentence. Jeez. I read the Ars post... Why are they in your title?
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Robert Palmer said 11:16AM on 11-12-2008
Actually, the word you're looking for is "factually correct" or "properly sourced" -- which also happens to be the opposite of "misleading."
Ars is in the story because they first drew the comparison to BlackBerry plans. They are where I found the story, and so I linked to them. They have a good reputation.
Thanks for your feedback, though, on my "righting." I love you.
dagamer34 said 11:07AM on 11-12-2008
Let me get this straight. AT&T wants us to pay at least:
$39 for voice
$30 for data
$5 for SMS (not required but i think iPhone users send more than 50 texts/month)
and now $30 for tethering on top of that?
Even for the most rabid fanboy out there, I've got two words for you: TOTAL BULLSHIT.
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Frank said 11:13AM on 11-12-2008
NO.. I don't think that's what is being said...
I think the $30 data plan would cover the tethering, but it would be proposed as a cheaper plan. they wouldn't charge you $30x3 would they?
paul said 4:18PM on 11-12-2008
Yes, Frank. They would.
STOPDMAN said 11:10AM on 11-12-2008
Wow 30 dollars a month for 5gb of internet?
So lets see..
69.99 voiceplan
30.00 data plan
20.00-unlimited text messages.
119.99 + tax.
Now lets say you add this 30.00 a month
That will bring your total cell phone bill to $150.00 (no taxes included)
wow-and there is people out there more than willing to pay this amount monthly.
A service world it is.
And as long as there is people that don't mind getting screwed companies like ATT will continue adding on.
You know somewhat similar to how our federal reserve works.
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shiny said 11:15AM on 11-12-2008
$30? A bit too steep for me -- especially since most of the time when I would need internet access for my laptop I would have some other less-expensive means to do so...
.. but what about an a la carte option? I seriously considered jailbreaking my phone simply to get NetShare to work on a train trip on the Eastern Seaboard. (I ultimately did not.) What if I wanted to just use it for several hours at a time in transit? Do you think there might be some sort of viable option for this target audience?
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p00bah said 11:18AM on 11-12-2008
$30... are you kidding me, that is beyond atrocious. Jailbreak anyone?
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louis said 1:56AM on 11-14-2008
hmm £35 a month in Britain 500 texts 600 mins and included unlimited internet with no fair use policy + i have tethered my iphone to my macbook. i would be pissed if i had to pay £20 odd for what iv already done
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blakespot said 11:21AM on 11-12-2008
I wonder if Apple will disable NetShare once this goes into effect? (Yes, this can be done in an iPhone update.) Hope not. I was luck enough to have grabbed it at the right moment.
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Nick said 12:50PM on 11-12-2008
I hope not too. I'd prefer to stick with the "free" option, thanks.
And if they're going to disable it, they'd damn well better be refunding me my $10.
Rolltideguy77 said 11:22AM on 11-12-2008
I take this purely for what it is, a rumor. However if ATT thinks this is the economy to add an additional $30 a month on top of what I consider stupidly high rate plans already someone is hitting the crack pipe a little too hard!
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Jimbeam said 11:31AM on 11-12-2008
I pay $60 a month for my 3G iphone :)
$60 a month for Voice, Text and data "edge" with T-Mobile US and I can tether it for free, Text and email in landscape even send MMS's.
Sooo glad I didn't switch to AT&T. Sure 3G dosent work. But edge is really quick where I'm at and I can live with slightly slower internet if it saves me $50 a month.
Screw AT&T!!
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THJ said 11:34AM on 11-12-2008
Right now I pay:
69.99 voiceplan
30.00 data plan
20.00 unlimited text messages.
60.00-USB Aircard
179.99 + tax + fees
With tethering, I would pay:
69.99 voiceplan
30.00 data plan
20.00 unlimited text messages.
30.00 iPhone tethering
149.99 + tax + fees
Savings: 30$
Works for me!
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Mike Kaplan said 1:39PM on 11-12-2008
That's exactly my situation, so even with the extra $30 for iPhone tethering, I'm saving $30/month over what I have right now. Plus it's the added convenience of not having to shlep around my USB wireless modem..one less think to carry and potentially lose. So I'm sold on it.