Existing users, 
AT&T: no iPhone 3G tethering for you!
Posted 13 June 2008 @ 11am in News
With the iPhone 3G’s significantly faster data transfer rates and ability to perform voice and data functions simultaneously, potential buyers have become intoxicated with the idea of tethering the device: using it as a cellular modem for laptops — a service AT&T and other carriers offer for many other portable phones. iPhone Atlas has learned, however, that AT&T will not be offering tethering capabilities for the iPhone 3G.
AT&T offers an alternative data plan for various BlackBerry and Window Mobile devices that allows users to tether their phones to laptops use the phone as a wireless modem (see this AT&T Wireless page titled “Use handsets as wireless modems”). This is commonly referred to as a Phone-As-Modem (PAM) plan. It is offered as an alternative to other data plans for $65 monthly. Tethering is accomplished by using the devices supplied sync cable so no other equipment is required.
All of the devices that perform this function are 3G capable according to store representatives. These devices will allow the user to make voice calls during the data connection. The new iPhone 3G falls into this category, as it will support simultaneous voice and data calls.
However according to AT&T spokesman, Mark A. Siegel, who spoke with iPhone Atlas earlier this week, AT&T will not be supporting a PAM plan for the iPhone 3G. The only available data plan for the iPhone will be the new $30 consumer unlimited data and visual voice mail plan and the $45 business data plan. The latter is charged when a person makes an enterprise type connection to Exchange or a Blackberry server for email or messaging.
So if you are an iPhone user, you will theoretically have to purchase a separate device with its own data plan to use on your laptop or other computer. Nonetheless, enterprising hackers developed (albeit complicated) methods for tethering the first-generation iPhone, and will likely produce similar options for the iPhone 3G.
Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.
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7 Comments
Posted by skidblad
13 June 2008 @ 11am
9to5Mac reports that O2 in the UK will allow BlueTooth tethering for the iPhone:
http://www.9to5mac.com/o2-iphone
Posted by yfrontdude
13 June 2008 @ 3pm
its gonna be different in every country. no way to get 70 carriers to toe the same line!
http://www.freemacbooktoday.com
Posted by iphone8
13 June 2008 @ 8pm
does this mean that if my university email is on an exchange server I will have to pay the $45 business fee!?! that’s ridiculous.
Posted by groepler
14 June 2008 @ 7am
That’s funny because:
1. The current iPhone can tether
2. It’s a Unix device, so root access means you get to do what you want…
3. Packets are packets…who can tell!?
So at&t is stating BS. Just watch the boards, someone will do it shortly anyway.
ho hum.
Posted by kendrome
14 June 2008 @ 1pm
Don’t worry about the business data plan, that is set up so that AT&T handles setting up and making sure everything works with a company, you will be able to connect to an Exchange server using the $30 data plan. It’d actually be hard to block even if they wanted to, because Exchange actually works over HTTP, and generally uses port 80/443.
Posted by apetrelli
15 June 2008 @ 1pm
The iPhone just doesn’t have the battery life to perform all its intended functions plus tethering. Plus, you’d be looking at significantly faster lithium-ion battery wear down, and need for replacement by Apple technicians as it’s not user serviceable.
Posted by MackB
15 July 2008 @ 7am
About the Battery, if’ your tethering, your next to the laptop, so plug in the usb, and charge the phone.