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Tethering on the iPhone

by Matt Pippen on March 4th, 2008

In the middle of last month a story leaked of the possibility of AT&T offering tethering, using a mobile devices Internet connection as an Internet connection for a computer, to iPhone customers.

The following script was leaked and allegedly meant to be read to iPhone customers.

“Mr/Mrs. Customer, I want to make you aware of an issue you will notice when tethering your new iPhone. The tethering process requires you to accept a new two-year agreement; however, I want to ensure you that AT&T is aware of this and that your agreement will not be extended. AT&T will reset your agreement date back to the date of your original iPhone activation or upgrade. This will be done within 48 hours of you completing the tethering process on your new iPhone; there is absolutely no action required by you to correct this. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

As of now, the use of the word tethering is in question.

However, the leaked script isn’t the real story. It’s the premiss to one of the long wanted features of many iPhone and even mobile device users.

Have you ever visited a relative in a rural town without Internet or even a nearby WiFi signal? Tethering has real promise to you, because, if allowed, as long as you picked up a decent EDGE (or EVDO for the CDMA folk) signal you could use the Internet off of your phone/mobile device for your computer’s Internet. That’s one of the many reasons why tethering is such a convient idea.

I have always been for AT&T and other carriers allowing tethering on their networks. You pay for the Internet, so why shouldn’t you be able to use it how you please. The carriers simply don’t agree, and will often forbid you from tethering within your contract. So, as you can see this change at this point isn’t too likely.

Although, if there is one feature that will really increase the image the iPhone in many people’s eyes, it’s tethering. No matter if your in business or just a normal end user, tethering could redefine our mobility in an already mobile world. Imagine having Internet on your computer anywhere with a cell phone signal.

What do you think about teathering, and do you believe carriers would ever allow it normally?

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POSTED IN: AT&T, iPhone