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AT&T iPhone customers: tethering is coming, for a price

Citing an exclusive source from within AT&T, appmodo reports that "tethering support is coming later this summer" is AT&T-speak for "tethering support is coming at the end of July."

It won't be coming cheaply, however; appmodo's source says a tethering option will cost AT&T customers a whopping $55 a month.

While this is cheaper than the $70 rumor that's been making the rounds, it still strikes me as ridiculous that AT&T is charging additional money for this option in the first place. Considering their "unlimited" data plan is reportedly only unlimited until you reach 5 GB or so in any given month, it seems preposterous for AT&T to charge their customers an extra fee to use the iPhone to access the internet via tethering. But, since AT&T's wrangling caused Skype to be restricted to WiFi only and SlingPlayer Mobile to be almost totally crippled compared to the same software on different models of smartphones running on AT&T's network, perhaps this shouldn't come as a surprise.

With all the negative press AT&T has been getting over the past week, I have to wonder: what do they have against the iPhone?

Editor's Note: As many of our commenters have pointed out, several other sites have posted instructions and a hacked carrier file to allow tethering on AT&T-activated iPhones immediately; some have linked to an application that allows one-click tethering. We encourage anyone who is trying one of these procedures to be cautious in your network usage, as you may rapidly run afoul of your contract terms with your carrier.

Citing an exclusive source from within AT&T, appmodo reports that "tethering support is coming later this summer" is AT&T-speak for...
 

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Peircey

Hey just a message to the big boys at AT&T, better start sharpening you pencils. Your not the only kid on the block with iPhone's. When are you finally going to wake up and smell the coffee guys.
I have 5 of your iPhones, 2 additional cells and 2 AT&T wireless cards and guess what, at the end of their contract your getting the boot unless you start caring more about your users then your wallets.
For example, if and when ever you do decide on your tethering, do you honestly think that I'm going to pay that redicious price.
It's bad enough you changed your unlimited wireless to 5G, but to throw that on top.
The Only thing I can say is "It's been nice knowing you"!

August 12 2009 at 3:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
michael

US cell providers are well behind the curve on mobile service and I'm hoping the collective wisdom of both iPhone (as well as other smartphone) users has the know-how and wherewithal to stage some type of official protest. Yes, yes, don't buy an iPhone from AT&T, sure... But, and I'm no legal expert here, this Apple + AT&T partnership is really bleeding Apple and Mac lovers dry to the extent that Microsoft did with their monopoly of the PC market a while back ... and that ended with an anti-trust lawsuit in favor of the plaintiffs. Henceforth, Microsoft has shot themselves in the foot numerous times. Those of us who signed on the dotted line with AT&T: there is such a thing as a fraudulent contract ... "subject to changes without notice" shouldn't be able to fly. Just my $0.02

June 27 2009 at 11:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
scw

I am surprised with all the complaints about data usage and tethering no one has pointed out that AT&T already charges extra based on how you use your data - the Enterprise data plan says if you use corporate email, or access corporate web sites, you get to pay $15 per month extra for the same service.

So it shouldn't be a surprise they will charge everything they can get away with.

June 23 2009 at 2:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
BridgewayTechnologies

I am not sure if anyone has had a Windows Mobile device prior to an iPhone. I have been waiting on this iPhone release to upgrade and currently have a WinMo phone by HTC.

AT&T does currently charge for tethering and it is an additional $10 USD per month charge. They recommend that you upgrade to an unlimited data plan if you do not have one already when you sign up for a tether plan. There is no term commitment for it so you can cancel the tether service at any time without impact to your contract.

I can not see them charging more then this for the iPhone users. Especially considering how much easier it is to tether via iPhone versus WinMo.

June 20 2009 at 3:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mistress

Nope, not gonna pay anything more to AT&T than I am right now... I have 2 iphones on my account and am ready for a price reduction!

June 19 2009 at 10:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Coupon Codes

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June 19 2009 at 10:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Coupon Codes

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Thanks

June 19 2009 at 10:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
alex

There is a lot of hate on all of the carriers here in the US. Here's what I think Apple could do with their "extra" 2 billion dollars left in the piggy bank. They first create their own "service" for iPhone and maybe iPod Touch (Depends on Steve's mood for the iPod Touch though) and everybody will be flocking to them and AT&T get pissed and spends a lot of money on fixing up their network to the point where they rival Japan's or Europe's cell provider and Apple switch back to AT&T and there shall be peace in the iDevice world :)

June 19 2009 at 12:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John Mortnesen

I don't think I am all that interested in paying for a full time tethering plan. But I would love (and use fairly often) a pay for use (or hourly) tethering option. Like if I am on the highway and need to send a client a file. I just jump off, tether up my laptop to the iPhone and beam the file off.

That would be useful for sure.

June 18 2009 at 7:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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