Existing users, 
iPhone Tethering: Why All the Drama?
Posted 5 September 2008 @ 9am in News
So if you are an iPhone user, you would have to purchase a separate device with its own data plan to use on your laptop or other computer with the 3G network. Nonetheless, enterprising hackers developed (albeit complicated) methods for tethering the iPhone 3G.
Hopes arose with the release of an app from NullRiver called NetShare, which debuted in the iTunes App store for $9.99. The application appeared in the iTunes Store, vanished returned once more and then vanished yet again.
People lucky enough to purchase, download and install it, including in-house staffers, report that it worked and continues to work remarkably well.
So, AT&T and Apple, why can’t we tether?
One analyst suggests that because AT&T’s network has exhibited poor reliability for voice calls with the iPhone 3G, tethering has been blocked as a means of obviating network overload.
An informal poll of users of cellular data cards for mobile laptop use tells us that most people tend to select Sprint, Verizon and then AT&T for these services. Their 3G version of the CDMA wireless networks are more mature and better at handling a load than AT&T’s 3G services. There is also better coverage for these services. While AT&T is trying hard to get these services up to speed, it’s going to take a while. We reported on coverage issues here and here.
Rumors hold that Apple is in talks with AT&T regarding sanctioned tethering. According to Gizmodo Steve Jobs is quoted as saying, in response to complaints about tethering, “We agree, and are discussing it with AT&T.”
Now the question is: Can AT&T’s network handle the load or will it just cause more drama for iPhone 3G users?
We would like to get feedback from cellular and/or users of phones that tether on AT&Ts 3G network. Drop your experience in the comments section below.
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5 Comments
Posted by mfix--2008
5 September 2008 @ 11am
I’m tethering from my MacBookPro with my Nokia and SonyEricsson Phones since ages. It works perfectly since we’ve got mature 3G Networks in Europe since many years. Why O why Apple do we Europeans have to suffer from a political Problem You’ve got with AT&T in the US ? I don’t get it, since 10 year I go online with my Mac with european phones - now that I’ve finally got an Apple branded one it doesn’t work any longer… Do You really want us to go back into the Nokia fold or what ? - would be nice if You listen to your customers here… Thanx a lot
(ps: I do not want to hack my Apple iPhone to get it to work with my Apple Notebook - I simply think that has to work and is Your problem - not mine)
Posted by nikhilr51
5 September 2008 @ 4pm
Google netshare.ipa on google and you can get it for free.
Posted by mickdevlin
6 September 2008 @ 12am
As an Australian, I have to agree with mfix’s comments. I suggest that as the problem is only with AT&T, NetShare should be reinstated on all the App Stores except those in the US. The only problem I can see is that the App Stores within the iTunes Stores of various nations may be treated by Apple as a single store (i.e. US store is master for App Store content and all foreign stores are slaves si that if it’s not on the US store, it’s not on [i]any[/i] store).
Posted by pnpoly
6 September 2008 @ 8am
Oh, and frankly, I haven’t bought the iPhone yet, my last inhibition being that I can’t tether…
Posted by hbelkins
6 September 2008 @ 8pm
I’m in Kentucky, USA. I have been tethering my old Motorola v551 phone with various Mac laptops for several years now, using Motorola modem scripts downloaded from http://www.taniwha.org.uk and my MEdiaNet unlimited plan for $20 per month. It works well for rudimentary Web surfing, streaming audio, e-mail, Yahoo and AOL messengers, etc. Speed isn’t great and it’s futile to do any heavy-duty surfing, YouTube watching, etc., because it’s so slow, but it lets me do what I need and want to do during the day in a workplace where Web usage is monitored, streaming audio is blocked, and a number of Web sites are not even allowed through the proxy server.
I upgraded that phone to a Razr V3xx that operates on 3G. I’m still able to tether, although I only have EDGE connectivity where I live and work, not 3G. However, this is my primary voice phone and calls usually go straight to voicemail when I’m online with it, and if I call out and stay on for awhile, the data connection terminates. I have an original version iPhone as well and its Internet connectivity leaves a lot to be desired (no Flash or Windows Media streaming audio, no native Yahoo client, can’t run multiple apps at the same time, and a lot of other failings. If I could tether that iPhone as easily as I can my Razr, I’d be in hog heaven.
My guess is that AT&T wants to prohibit tethering so they can sell their Laptop Connect plans at $60/month.