Tethering did not become available for just an additional cost. It’s not available at all if you still have the unlimited plan. It is only available if you you opt out of the unlimited plan and dump it for the 2GB plan. This renders tethering virtually useless for all intents and purposes for what anyone would want to use it for. (picture and video upload/downloads, streaming, software updates, video conferencing, MMS, audio streaming, VOIP, etc.) In fact, in a recent candid conversation I had with an ATT rep, the design of the 256MB and 2GB caps and the tethering option were implemented with the express purpose of moving people off the cellular network and onto Wifi saving ATT the need to quickly upgrade their system.
When I first heard about tethering my iPhone’s internet service to my computer my first thought was “Now I can tell Comcast to take a flying leap!” ATT really blew it.
What Google, Apple, Microsoft, HP et al. need to do is to come up with first a nationwide, highspeed data and cell network to bypass old school carriers and ISP’s. Then move the network worldwide and make it device independent. That would spell the death of the old school carriers and service providers. As it is, public access free wifi is becoming more ubiquitous every month. I can easily foresee a time when I just buy an iPod Touch and turn it into an internet phone. At that point, all carriers become obsolete and the ISP’s become your phone company too.
Read More http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/09/tweet-of-the-day-2/#ixzz0zY8TadFr
