AT&T to enable iPhone tethering? [U]
updated 08:05 pm EST, Wed February 13, 2008
AT&T iPhone tethering
AT&T will reportedly offer an iPhone tethering plan to users, according to an informant for The Boy Genius Report. The alleged tethering plan is mentioned in what appears to be a message meant for customer service representatives or technicians. The report claims that iPhone customers will be required to sign a new two-year contract, but the date will roll back to the original purchase date within 48 hours, echoing issues that surfaced from users upgrading to the 16GB iPhone.
Tethering -- the use of a mobile phone as a primary internet device for a computer -- is an oft-requested feature, but is not currently part of the iPhone agreement. Users who tether their iPhone must still pay for data usage, even though unlimited on-device browsing is included.
Under the alleged plan iPhone users would hear a script from AT&T customer service representatives:
"Mr/Mrs. Customer, I want to make you aware of an issue you will notice when tethering your new iPhone," the script reads. "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."
It continues, "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."
Update: It is potential that AT&T uses the term "tethering" when referring to being bound in a contract, although a clarifying statement has yet to be issued.
Ever been done?
02/13, 05:48pm reply
I wonder if ever any mobile carrier ever offered tethering without any additional hoop jumping and charges. There is no doubt, iPhone customers are really a privileged category at AT&T.
vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Tethering?
02/13, 06:01pm reply
Also, that must be the worst worded customer service announcement ever. If the use of the word tethering is as infrequently used as it is here then it will throw most people off straight away. I can only imagine that the new contract would be adding/modifying a clause that would unable tethering with certain fair usage limits. Surely there should have been a clause in the original contract that would have provided for changing of terms and conditions without having to go down this road?
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
yes!
02/13, 06:04pm reply
I hope this is correct as tethering is a big reason why I haven't bought an iPhone. My Treo allows tethering and it is VERY useful as I travel alot for work.
tmedia1
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Joined: Dec 2007
/
02/13, 06:14pm reply
Already been discredited by commenters. Gizmodo retracted their post (gone, like POOF). You should do the same ;-)
tomodachi
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Joined: Apr 2002
iPhones CAN TETHER
02/13, 06:38pm reply
iPhone third party developers have figured out how to tether with iPhone for quite a few months now. Pretty simple process. No additional fees.
dliup
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
Tethering rules!
02/13, 07:06pm reply
Charging extra for it drools.
The lack of tethering was one of my dealbreakers that kept me from getting an iPhone.
Does the iPhone support Bluetooth PAN? The phone I did get, an S-E K550i, has it, and it rocks.
phillymjs
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Joined: Jun 2000
Nice cut & paste job
02/13, 07:10pm reply
Next time actually read and analyze the words. Long term cutting and pasting "news" that is obviously wrong is hardly a winning strategy.
Guest
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Joined: Nov 1999
Tether, since July 2007
02/13, 07:14pm reply
People have been tethering iPhone since July 2007, for free.
dliup
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
not really tethering...
02/13, 09:30pm reply
in the context o AT&T, "Tethering" means connecting the iPhone to your Mac so you can set up your account.. it has nothing to do with "tethering" to provide internet access through your cell phone..
Sorry.
marcelr
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Joined: Oct 2000
duh
02/13, 09:35pm reply
Marcelr, There are newer directions, but here is an example.
http://www.hackszine.com/blog/archive/2007/07/iphone_tether_enable_edge_wire.html
dliup
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Joined: Jan 2006