AT&T: we'll offer tethering on the iPhone

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 8th 2009 at 5:24PM

It's been known since day one that iPhone OS 3.0 would support data tethering, and Apple took the opportunity at WWDC today to drive the point home by saying that it'd be launching the service with 22 carrier partners in 44 countries. Of course, it's easy to have assumed that AT&T wouldn't be one of those partners, but we've been told today by a company spokesman that it will be offering tethering on the device -- it just doesn't have any announcements to make at this time. Whether that means availability will be delayed (perhaps until the 7.2Mbps upgrade is built out) or they're just trying to hammer out pricing, we don't know, but it's a promising sign.

Filed under: ATT, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Apple

Tags: apple, att, breaking news, BreakingNews, data, iphone, iphone 3g, iphone 3g s, Iphone3g, Iphone3gS, tether, tethering

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Riley Freeman @ Jun 8th 2009 5:37PM

its amazing how the same phone gets so many posts on engadgegt. i saw something that listed how many posts were under each manufacturer .

the iphone had about 1100 something

the other top 2 had 11--something and 1200something.

amazing how th same phone that has been released 3 times has caught up to people that have been making phones for decades.

u can tell what this site likes to report on.

every little piece of iphone news

Highest Ranked

Bill @ Jun 8th 2009 5:50PM

AT&T sucks, no matter how you spin it.

Neutral

jboy @ Jun 8th 2009 5:54PM

Yeah...just like ATT overly delayed microcell. Bye bye ATT...gonna leave your sorry backward network behind.

Highly Ranked

Griffon @ Jun 8th 2009 6:10PM

ARGH it should fucking be FREE you already paid for the phone and the data, having to pay TWICE for data is just fucking insane. Only in market with negotiable completion would this even be a issue.

Neutral

KO @ Jun 8th 2009 6:19PM

Again, this is something that has been freely available to most European customers for several years. Now North American operators (and consumers) are just really s_l_o_w_l_y catching up with what has been happening in Europe and Asia for long.

Neutral

Chris @ Jun 9th 2009 10:35AM

Boy Genius on why AT&T can't offer MMS right away:

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/06/08/the-reason-why-att-wont-support-mms-with-the-iphone-until-late-summer/

Highest Ranked

Adam @ Jun 8th 2009 6:57PM

God, AT&T sucks. The iPhone is a great device, but its success is even more amazing when you realize it has had to achieve it in spite of the god-awful carrier. If the iPhone were on a decent carrier in the US, it would actually be even more successful. AT&T is this great albatross around Apple's neck... constantly trying to drag it down.

Neutral

Billiulm @ Jun 8th 2009 6:59PM

Sorry dude this one can't be blamed on the slow NA carriers and consumers. I've been tethering my macs to different Nokias for years now via bluetooth even on ATT via edge! It's more of an issue of ATT crappy network and Apple iron fist rules on iPhone apps and usage.

Neutral

e @ Jun 8th 2009 7:31PM

"ARGH it should fucking be FREE you already paid for the phone and the data, having to pay TWICE for data is just fucking insane. Only in market with negotiable completion would this even be a issue."

Quit crying you cheap bastard.

Neutral

PSM @ Jun 8th 2009 9:07PM

I don't care if it's free or costs, just give us something!

If AT&T doesn't have a tethering plan on day 1, then I hope the jailbreak community is hard at work on that gold master right now.

Neutral

rytr23 @ Jun 8th 2009 9:13PM

Wouldn't you technically just be able to call up and have them change it right there? or slip your sim into another phone and call and change your plan then swap it back? I have a feeling ATT reps are going to be worky work busy bee.. because some douche nozzle can't figure out automatic update on the back end. Asshats. I am really hating ATT lately. Come on VZW, please get the iphone.

Neutral

sepirioth @ Jun 8th 2009 9:46PM

that shouldve been " we will offer tethering. for a price"

Neutral

manny @ Jun 8th 2009 10:44PM

that's what they call this....My Verizon xv8600 (Windows Mobile 6.0) has been doing this since day one (2004).

Neutral

John E. @ Jun 8th 2009 11:43PM

I hate att.. why didn't they fix this problems, they new apple was going to lunch a product that does all that. but no lets just leave it for last minute typical wireless company. Apple should just sell iphone unlocked in us.. gsm version and cdma version. that would be awesome

Neutral

John Michael @ Jun 9th 2009 6:59AM

AT&T Will offer Tethering and Unlimited Data for $70 a month.... Or you could just jailbreak and tether for free.... Hmm Tough Decision...

Neutral

Kiteless @ Jun 9th 2009 1:58PM

I have the 3GS pre-ordered via AT&T Wireless site, replacing my 1st Gen iPhone. I also have a Verizon Wireless "Mobile Broadband Adaptor" that I has a contract ending in November. I know AT&T Wireless' 3G is not nearly built out as well as Verizon's, not even close, but I pay $60/mo for my Verizon service. If AT&T charges an extra $30 or maybe $40 for tethering, even if they limit it to 5GB (Like Verizon does) I would be willing to make that compromise. Especially if the Bluetooth tethering is as seamless as Apple is saying it will be.

I just like the idea of toting my mac around and flipping it open, Internet... Not as fast, but Internet.

- K

Neutral

chrisj979 @ Jun 13th 2009 7:39PM

LOOK we all know the only reason ATT is delaying tethering is "PRICING" yes, once they get the pricing ironed out they'll MAKE you buy it cause yo have an iPhone. What is stupid to me is that even though ATT bullys you into these pricing plans, everyone complains, but no one leaves. You want them to listen to you affect their pockets, they'll listen then.
Glad I'm not a ATT customer but I still have an iPhon ;) ATT won't screw me.