iPhone 3.1 Beta 2 Disables Unauthorized AT&T Tethering

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/15/iphone-3-1-beta-2-disables-unauthorized-atandt-tethering/)

One of the big changes discovered in the latest iPhone 3.1 Beta (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/14/iphone-3-1-beta-2-released-to-developers/) released tonight was that it seems to disable tethering hacks for AT&T customers in the U.S.

Tethering is the process by which you can share your iPhone's wireless internet connection with your laptop via USB or Bluetooth. This allows you to have access to the internet from your laptop, using your iPhone as a wireless modem. While tethering officially arrived with the 3.0 firmware, U.S. AT&T customers have been unable to officially take advantage of it.

Shortly after the release of the 3.0 firmware, however, several hacks (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/18/iphone-tethering-and-mms-hacks-surface/) began circulating allowing U.S. AT&T customers to unofficially enable tethering on their iPhones. The latest beta firmware, however, seems to disable this functionality.

AT&T plans to provide an official tethering solution later this summer, but will certainly require an additional charge beyond the standard data plans.


Article Link: iPhone 3.1 Beta 2 Disables Unauthorized AT&T Tethering (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/15/iphone-3-1-beta-2-disables-unauthorized-atandt-tethering/)

[ipedro]

Sucks to be an AT&T customer :(

Tethering is great up here in Canada. Couldn't live without it now that I've had it.

[jmann]

I'm sure jailbreaking will provide a work around.

[dopeytree]

Does this affect other network hacks arround the world too?

[haunebu]

Aaand that's exactly why I won't be upgrading beyond 3.0.

[jav6454]

I'm sure jailbreaking will provide a work around.

It already did, since the launch of the iPhone 3G last summer. I have tethered using my 1st Gen flawlessly from AT&T, and plan to do so on my new and soon to be 3GS, with the same cost and $20 Data + SMS plan as my 1st Gen

[thefunkymunky]

Does the O2 hack still work?

[smileyborg]

Whoa...big surprise! (...not)

I think I'd rather AT&T allow me to tether with my iPhone for no additional charge, in exchange for making my "unlimited" data plan a "limited" plan of, say, 5GB a month.

There is no such thing as truly "unlimited," as the fine print reveals. So why advertise it as such...let me do what I want with what I pay for, and I will happily accept a less-than-infinite amount of bandwidth for my $30 each month.

[scubasteve03]

Aaand that's exactly why I won't be upgrading beyond 3.0.

I second that. Why does AT&T have to be so money hungry? I understand they are a business and need to make a profit, but at what cost to them? If verizon gets the Iphone in 2010, AT&T are going to lose 75%+ of their iphone customers. We shouldn't have to wait to tether and pay the $60 EXTRA to tether. Look at all of the other carriers that are offering it to free or next to nothing. They are making a killing in profit because of all of the increased business. I am gone as soon as possible even if I have to pay the $180 early termination fee. Is anyone with me? And Apple...why are you biting the hand that feeds you. AT&T are not keeping you in business, WE are!

[colonels1020]

I'm running beta 2 and I still have the tethering option available.:confused:

[Nermal]

Anyone know whether this breaks XT tethering in NZ? I don't even own an iPhone but I know that quite a few people are using a "hack" for support over here.

[iphones4evry1]

D'oh! :eek:

"On August 31st, 2009, AT&T enabled tethering to iPhone subscribers - the first of it's kind - for a low, affordable, nominal monthly rate of only $29.99, which is in addition to the $30 data plan that iPhone users already pay. An AT&T spokesperson was quoted saying 'this is a really, really good deal. iPhone subscribers should be very excited. this is a great time to be with AT&T.' The AT&T spokesperson was then overheard telling someone about a '12 month tethering contract.' When asked 'what if the tethering contract expires after the iPhone contract?,' he replied 'That's your problem. not mine.'"

[Josephkyles]

I won't be updating! Thanks for the heads up!

[navigates]

If Jailbroken, PDAnet would still work.

[focalplane]

Does the O2 hack still work?

Nope. Disables that too.

Disables SMS also. Crashes every time i try to sent a text!!

Avoid. Its a dog, this version

[jav6454]

D'oh! :eek:

"On August 31st, 2009, AT&T enabled tethering to iPhone subscribers - the first of it's kind - for a low, affordable, nominal monthly rate of only $29.99, which is in addition to the $30 data plan that iPhone users already pay. An AT&T spokesperson was quoted saying 'this is a really, really good deal. iPhone subscribers should be very excited. this is a great time to be with AT&T.' The AT&T spokesperson was then overheard telling someone about a '12 month tethering contract.' He then quickly said 'oops. you didn't hear that.'"

You forgot to mention the fine print saying the "unlimited" data has a cap at 5GBs. That is unless there is no tethering, then is it only truly unlimited.

[iphones4evry1]

You forgot to mention the fine print saying the "unlimited" data has a cap at 5GBs. That is unless there is no tethering, then is it only truly unlimited.

Knowing AT&T, the 5GB plan will be $29.99 additional, and if you want unlimited, it will be $39.99 additional. After two years, the $29.99 plan will mysteriously disappear (like the $29.99 voice minutes plan mysteriously disappeared about three years ago), and they will then require anyone who buys an iPhone to mandatorily subscribe to the $39.99 plan.

[iphones4evry1]

I second that. Why does AT&T have to be so money hungry? I understand they are a business and need to make a profit, but at what cost to them? If verizon gets the Iphone in 2010, AT&T are going to lose 75%+ of their iphone customers. We shouldn't have to wait to tether and pay the $60 EXTRA to tether. Look at all of the other carriers that are offering it to free or next to nothing. They are making a killing in profit because of all of the increased business. I am gone as soon as possible even if I have to pay the $180 early termination fee. Is anyone with me? And Apple...why are you biting the hand that feeds you. AT&T are not keeping you in business, WE are!

AMEN ! :apple:

[acidfast7]

lulz at american mobile service providers. sometimes i'm quite glad that i left.

but honestly, this whole contract business is absolutely ridiculous.

[jav6454]

lulz at american mobile service providers. sometimes i'm quite glad that i left.

but honestly, this whole contract business is absolutely ridiculous.

Honduran telecoms charge you $45 for real unlimited 3G connectivity. Here 3G is at 3.6Mb/s; however, its not like AT&T's 3.6Mb/s. AT&T's says 3.6Mb/s but you don't see that, you see something lower around 1.8Mb/s. Over here when they tell you 3.6Mb/s it is 100% 3.6Mb/s, even in heavy traffic.

Seems, telecoms have spent a great deal of money on a huge backhaul system. Trials for 7.2Mb/s are in way, but not scheduled for releasing for another 1-2 years.

Yes, even though technology advances slow here, it tends to be consistent and made to work.

[magga]

Nope. Disables that too.

Disables SMS also. Crashes every time i try to sent a text!!

Avoid. Its a dog, this version
Still works fine for me (Tethering and texting that is!).

[madmax_2069]

Yeah they already make you get the data plan already with PDA phones like the iPhone (there is only a few that you dont have to get the data plan with), the sales person told me the iPhone is constantly sending data and if you didn't get the data plan with the iPhone you would get raped with the bill so they make you get the data plan.

i dunno know how much BS he was slinging or if he was telling me the truth. but isnt that why you have the data plan, it figures that AT&T would charge you for something that should be a feature of the iPhone. hell it was going to be above $100 a month just for service with 400 - 500 minutes, since i am not made of money they can keep the iPhone. i will just keep my current phone in all of its crappyness and buy a iPod touch. i am just waiting for Apple to update the iPod touch to 3GS like hardware.

[ltldrummerboy]

People shouldn't stick with 3.0 just to avoid tethering fees. I think ATT can still charge you for tethering even on 3.0, they just haven't yet.

[acidfast7]

Honduran telecoms charge you $45 for real unlimited 3G connectivity. Here 3G is at 3.6Mb/s; however, its not like AT&T's 3.6Mb/s. AT&T's says 3.6Mb/s but you don't see that, you see something lower around 1.8Mb/s. Over here when they tell you 3.6Mb/s it is 100% 3.6Mb/s, even in heavy traffic.

Seems, telecoms have spent a great deal of money on a huge backhaul system. Trials for 7.2Mb/s are in way, but not scheduled for releasing for another 1-2 years.

Yes, even though technology advances slow here, it tends to be consistent and made to work.

we're already rolling 4G/LTE with 80Mb/s in rural and 150Mb/s in urban areas to cover the entire Swedish population (by the end of 2010, with stuff in the metro area by the end of the year). You can already enroll in the program, but I think it's capped at 21Mb/s until the end of the summer (or so).

[Lazlow]

Surprise surprise... :rolleyes:

I'm sure the jailbreak community will provide a work-around. Yeah, I know there's already PDAnet, but the iPhone's native tethering feature is much more simple and easy to use. Just plug in your iPhone and you're ready to go! No dealing with ad hoc networks and such.

I'm just waiting for karma to come back and bite AT&T, as well as all American telecoms, in the ass. It will come, it's just a matter of when. Either Apple will ditch AT&T at some point, or the SEC will rule phone-carrier exclusivity deals as in violation of antitrust laws. I mean, I wouldn't count on either happening any time soon (ESPECIALLY the latter), but when it does, I will sit back in my chair and chuckle for hours.

[jav6454]

we're already rolling 4G/LTE with 80Mb/s in rural and 150Mb/s in urban areas to cover the entire Swedish population (by the end of 2010, with stuff in the metro area by the end of the year). You can already enroll in the program, but I think it's capped at 21Mb/s until the end of the summer (or so).

Oh I hate you.:p Then again, it's Sweden, a developed country. And well, Honduras isn't that developed considering 70% people live in poverty.....:rolleyes:

So having these speeds for them is live touching heaven.

[acidfast7]

Oh I hate you.:p Then again, it's Sweden, a developed country. And well, Honduras isn't that developed considering 70% people live in poverty.....:rolleyes:

So having these speeds for them is live touching heaven.

I've love to live in Central/South America. Unfortunately, I'm moving to Germany :(

[pika2000]

:D:D:D Just hilarious. I mean this is kinda saying AT&T is dictating Apple on what to do with their firmware. Not unexpected though, as AT&T is already part of decision maker on the approval process for the app store.
Remember when Apple announced the first iPhone, they made it sound like they're going to change the industry like what they did on the music industry with the iPod. I guess nothing has really changed (other than everybody is doing an app store), the carriers are still in control.

[patrick808]

Can anyone relay their experiences with 3.1 and NetShare ?
Thanks.

[pika2000]

I second that. Why does AT&T have to be so money hungry? I understand they are a business and need to make a profit, but at what cost to them? If verizon gets the Iphone in 2010, AT&T are going to lose 75%+ of their iphone customers.
Verizon? Really? They want to put their own app store on the phones they carry. They're even worse than AT&T, disabling default features on phones.

[koobcamuk]

Nope. Disables that too.

Disables SMS also. Crashes every time i try to sent a text!!

Avoid. Its a dog, this version

The last one wasn't exactly brilliant. Any tips of downgrading? I tried like 8 times and just couldn't get it to work.

[jav6454]

Verizon? Really? They want to put their own app store on the phones they carry. They're even worse than AT&T, disabling default features on phones.

Wi-Fi is a good example on how Verizon cripples phones. Honestly, Verizon will never let go of the V-Cast service and I know Apple won't allow competition to its App Store and iTunes Store.

[Full of Win]

Glad I got Netshare a year ago.

[entropys]

This probably just requires a simple alteration to the carrier settings to impose or circumvent. An easy fix that does not require unlocking. At least that is what happens with Optus, the carrier in Australia that tries to charge separately for tethering. Most of the other carriers in Australia do not bother charging separately (in fact, virginmobile said "Why should we care? it's all data")


edit: in the interests of full disclosure, data is not unlimited on virginmobileAU.

[miket019]

att sucks!

[Dmac77]

People shouldn't stick with 3.0 just to avoid tethering fees. I think ATT can still charge you for tethering even on 3.0, they just haven't yet.

We all know that they can charge for it if they find out about it, but this hack bypasses AT&T's block that prevents people who aren't authorized for tethering to tether. That's why you want to stay at 3.0, because the hack gets disabled in 3.1

Don

[joelypolly]

Well it was a good run while it lasted. Shame they that AT&T is the only carrier in the states. In AU its on every major carrier.

[deimos256]

Apple catering to AT&T by covering up their network insecurities. lame

[IronCross]

If any of you honestly think Verizon is gonna be your savior for cheaper service, guess again.

Not only will they attempt to cripple the iPhone's abilities to hell (or at least control it more than AT&T would ever attempt to do), but they're just as bad if not worse when it comes to monthly plans.

You really, REALLY want to pay out the rear? Get the iPhone to move to Verizon. Maybe they'll lockdown your GPS, and God knows whatever else on the phone. That's what they're good at.

[tsa1]

verizon wont even let you send pictures/messages/mp3 files over bluetooth in their phones! iPhone will never go to verizon, tmobile is more likely.

[NewSc2]

I won't be upgrading to 3.0. I have full wifi at work... Was thinking of disconnecting internet at home and resorting to iPhone for tethering emergencies if need be.

[Sambo110]

Haha, I thought tethering was using your home internet connection on your iPhone through USB, I was wondering why they charged for it :p.

[spazzcat]

Knowing AT&T, the 5GB plan will be $29.99 additional, and if you want unlimited, it will be $39.99 additional. After two years, the $29.99 plan will mysteriously disappear (like the $29.99 voice minutes plan mysteriously disappeared about three years ago), and they will then require anyone who buys an iPhone to mandatorily subscribe to the $39.99 plan.

What I am wondering is you don't realize that every US cell phone company does this, right or wrong they all do it.

[lbjsong]

Rogers/Fido Customers subscribing the data plan can use tethering for free until the end of this year, 2009.
Greatest.....
plus, we get 5 dollars mms

ATT needs to be punished by apple by losing its exclusiveness in the US

[DELLsFan]

Whoa...big surprise! (...not)

I think I'd rather AT&T allow me to tether with my iPhone for no additional charge, in exchange for making my "unlimited" data plan a "limited" plan of, say, 5GB a month.

There is no such thing as truly "unlimited," as the fine print reveals. So why advertise it as such...let me do what I want with what I pay for, and I will happily accept a less-than-infinite amount of bandwidth for my $30 each month.

+1

I would accept such a compromise as well. I'm tired of arguing semantics over unlimited vs. limited. However, I'm also tired of AT&T pricing on SMS (which - regardless of the technology behind it - should be a part of that unlimited data package, IMO).

[MacbookSwitcher]

Tethering via this workaround works beautifully in Japan (carrier is Softbank) and is a lifesafer, especially for people like me who don't have a permanent office and work from anywhere there's net'.

I will not be upgrading. Thanks.

[iPhoneNYC]

Only one thing stands in the way of the iPhone being fantastic in every way -- and that is ATT. Why ATT needs to hold back on tethering when iPhone users in many other countries can use it is anyone's guess but it is clear that ATT is the weak link in the iPhone chain.

[mrhoove]

Can anyone relay their experiences with 3.1 and NetShare ?
Thanks.

Works 100% in 3.1 beta 2

[retroneo]

Hopefully the 2010 iPhone will have 1700MHz 3G and be available on T-Mobile as well...

[retroneo]

edit: in the interests of full disclosure, data is not unlimited on virginmobileAU.

AT&T is 5GB, just like the top Virgin Mobile AU plan.

[retroneo]

Anyone know whether this breaks XT tethering in NZ? I don't even own an iPhone but I know that quite a few people are using a "hack" for support over here.

Shouldn't break XT tethering because XT isn't an official carrier.

There is no official carrier profile to override.

PS: All NZ iPhones are always unlocked.

[iphoneguy22]

On my iPhone 3G, my tethering hack still works fine. I'm also on AT&T.

[OutSpoken]

Man that sucks... and I dont even have an iPhone on a AT&T contract :D

Blackberry ftw.

[MarkAK]

On my iPhone 3G, my tethering hack still works fine. I'm also on AT&T.
Did you update to 3.1 release 2?

[wadejc85]

Man that sucks... and I dont even have an iPhone on a AT&T contract :D

Blackberry ftw.

My work provides a BB, and I provide an iPhone. For me, definitely not "Blackberry FTW". I don't know how many times I'll touch the screen of my BB and get mad at it not working... only to become embarrassed and pretend like it didn't happen. :p

As of now, I won't be upgrading.

[at&t]

Ah, so much crying.
Let your phone carrier decide what is better for you - it is their company and it is their choice. If you do not like it then go switch to Revol Wireless or something.

[amac4me]

With Beta 2 disabling the hack, I have to wonder if AT&T will end up delivering the tethering feature much later than expected.

[mags631]

Only one thing stands in the way of the iPhone being fantastic in every way -- and that is ATT. Why ATT needs to hold back on tethering when iPhone users in many other countries can use it is anyone's guess but it is clear that ATT is the weak link in the iPhone chain.

I would guess that they are simply trying to monetize the additional features, either to improve profits or offset costs for building out infrastructure to support network improvements. Honestly, I think this is more symptomatic of American business practice than just AT&T being greedy. Investing for the long term is no longer considered a viable business strategy here. /soapbox

[grapes911]

With Beta 2 disabling the hack, I have to wonder if AT&T will end up delivering the tethering feature much later than expected.

Or maybe they are going to do it very soon and don't want people circumventing the system.

[litopine]

Aaand that's exactly why I won't be upgrading beyond 3.0.

If you don't upgrade to 3.1 you'll never be able to take advantage of MMS, unless you jailbreak.:apple:

[Fluffy Bunny]

Not fair, I like to steal stuff! I think everything should be free. Tax the rich to pay for my data needs. I have many important you tube videos to watch and facebook updates to make. This is important stuff!

[mattwolfmatt]

Is this really a surprise? I find it hard to believe Apple or AT&T would just look the other way, when they can see there is unofficial tethering going on.

[bbplayer5]

<3 Jailbreak. MyWi is the best.

[electronboy]

Two years, then I'm switching!

[Bubba Satori]

AppleT&T. A match made in hell.

[Baadshah]

does 3.1 firmware fix the battery & wifi issues?

[timon]

Yet ANOTHER reason that I will NEVER go with AT$T’s GREED :(

I just got a VERIZON Blackberry Tour and could not be happier unless I get a VERIZON iPhone...hopefully SOON :rolleyes:

And just how much do you pay for tethering on Verizon?????????? Oh, $30 just like AT&T!

I'm so tired of people saying that AT&T is being greedy when Verizon charges the same price. Come on people before you complain please check the other carriers pricing.

Now complaining about network coverage is totally fair game as is wishing that all carriers would reduce costs. Heck, I'd like to see all carriers include SMS with all data plans but it's not likely to happen.

[overcast]

we're already rolling 4G/LTE with 80Mb/s in rural and 150Mb/s in urban areas to cover the entire Swedish population (by the end of 2010, with stuff in the metro area by the end of the year). You can already enroll in the program, but I think it's capped at 21Mb/s until the end of the summer (or so).

It's tough only having to worry about only covering an entire country the size of California. I hear this nonsense from Europeans over and over. Rolling out infrastructure like this to a country as large as the US, takes a lot more money and a lot more time.

[bbplayer5]

It's tough only having to worry about only covering an entire country the size of California. I hear this nonsense from Europeans over and over. Rolling out infrastructure like this to a country as large as the US, takes a lot more money and a lot more time.

Dont riddle this board with things like "facts".

[Shuttleworth]

It's tough only having to worry about only covering an entire country the size of California. I hear this nonsense from Europeans over and over. Rolling out infrastructure like this to a country as large as the US, takes a lot more money and a lot more time.

Where did he suggest it was something that the US carriers should be doing?

[SMacDuff]

It's tough only having to worry about only covering an entire country the size of California. I hear this nonsense from Europeans over and over. Rolling out infrastructure like this to a country as large as the US, takes a lot more money and a lot more time.

Agreed! Why even bother trying to compare? The cost for any telecom in either the US or Canada to roll out uniform service throughout their respective nations is always going to be much higher than with a country the size of Sweden.

[peteelew]

Is this 3.1 going to disable Netshare, also? I will stick with the old if I hear it does!!

[maddviper]

My iPhone tethering seems to be working fine. In fact, I'm sending this post via a tethered computer via an iPhone 3GS running 3.1.

[Jamie 360]

It already did, since the launch of the iPhone 3G last summer. I have tethered using my 1st Gen flawlessly from AT&T, and plan to do so on my new and soon to be 3GS, with the same cost and $20 Data + SMS plan as my 1st Gen

How do you plan to hang onto your $20 plan? I was able to keep mine (which also had 200 texts included) with my 2G up until I ordered the 3GS. The first step in the order process forces you to accept the new $30 plan. I almost didn't order it due to the huge plan hike, but when I looked at "my current plan" on the AT&T Website there was a note saying my $20 plan was going to expire on 8/1 anyway.

[acidfast7]

Agreed! Why even bother trying to compare? The cost for any telecom in either the US or Canada to roll out uniform service throughout their respective nations is always going to be much higher than with a country the size of Sweden.

per capita? % of GDP? or in absolute terms?

at some point it's about the country's/region's priorities. Scandinavia has always been strong in telecommunications with Ericsson and Nokia.

[camarobh]

I second that. Why does AT&T have to be so money hungry? I understand they are a business and need to make a profit, but at what cost to them? If verizon gets the Iphone in 2010, AT&T are going to lose 75%+ of their iphone customers. We shouldn't have to wait to tether and pay the $60 EXTRA to tether. Look at all of the other carriers that are offering it to free or next to nothing. They are making a killing in profit because of all of the increased business. I am gone as soon as possible even if I have to pay the $180 early termination fee. Is anyone with me? And Apple...why are you biting the hand that feeds you. AT&T are not keeping you in business, WE are!

When are you all going to stop dreaming about going to Verizon? You will get there and discover they are no different than AT&T. Nobody offers free tethering in the states and AT&T is in business to make money. If you don't like it, don't be an AT&T customer and go use one of those lousy locked-down no apps store phones Verizon sells.

[Anuba]

It's tough only having to worry about only covering an entire country the size of California. I hear this nonsense from Europeans over and over. Rolling out infrastructure like this to a country as large as the US, takes a lot more money and a lot more time.
Except the US has a higher population density than Sweden. More people per square mile = more potential revenue. In a country with 33 times the population of Sweden, a dinosaur carrier like AT&T should also have 33 times the revenue and 33 times the resources, and then some. The scale doesn't matter. Italy is only half the size of Sweden yet they're also trailing far behind on this stuff.

California is the perfect example, with 37 million people on an area the size of Sweden (9 million) and a population density of a whopping 235/sq mi. I can see why AT&T aren't keen on upgrading to 4G in Alaska, but California should have been miles ahead of Sweden with 3G, turbo 3G, 4G, 100/1000 mbit fiber broadband etc. Yet in Sweden, 18% of the broadband connections are fiber connections (third in the world after Japan and South Korea), while in the US, that number is 3%. Three percent! Even the Czech Republic beats the US in that department. Imagine that, the cradle of computer technology is behind a p*ss poor country in the Eastern Bloc. 20 years ago they had one TV channel and drove 25 bhp tin cans...

The answer is that the US has taken free enterprise so far that you ended up in a situation where competition stopped functioning as a driving force. I hope all the Tucker Carlsons over there are happy with the Soviet-style technology, while Japan and the EU are shaking their heads.

[Diode]

My iPhone tethering seems to be working fine. In fact, I'm sending this post via a tethered computer via an iPhone 3GS running 3.1.

Do you use AT&T and are you on Beta 2?

[acidfast7]

Except the US has a higher population density than Sweden. More people per square mile = more potential revenue. In a country with 33 times the population of Sweden, a dinosaur carrier like AT&T should also have 33 times the revenue and 33 times the resources sources, and then some. The scale doesn't matter. Italy is only half the size of Sweden yet they're also trailing far behind on this stuff.

California is the perfect example, with 37 million people on an area the size of Sweden (9 million) and a population density of a whopping 235/sq mi. I can see why AT&T aren't keen on upgrading to 4G in Alaska, but California should have been miles ahead of Sweden with 3G, turbo 3G, 4G, 100/1000 mbit fiber broadband etc. Yet in Sweden, 18% of the broadband connections are fiber connections (third in the world after Japan and South Korea), while in the US, that number is 3%. Three percent! Even the Czech Republic beats the US in that department. Imagine that, the cradle of computer technology is behind a p*ss poor country in the Eastern Bloc. 20 years ago they had one TV channel and drove 25 hp tin cans...

The answer is that the US has taken free enterprise so far that you ended up in a situation where competition stopped functioning as a driving force. I hope all the Tucker Carlsons over there are happy with the Soviet-style technology, while Japan and the EU are shaking their heads.

Tja! Tack så mycket för bra replikering att löjlighet amerikansk.

[cmcconkey]

verizon wont even let you send pictures/messages/mp3 files over bluetooth in their phones! iPhone will never go to verizon, tmobile is more likely.

This no not exactly true anymore. I constantly do it with my Dare, a friends Versa and have successfully done it on the new ENV Touch. It has become a must on my future phones.

I also have the 3G S but I have yet to be able to send squat to it over bluetooth, I haven't actually tried much.

[rw3]

Might as well get a Spring or Verizon USB adapter and call it a day. I have a CBeyond (uses Spring and Verizion towers) and it works well and is cheap, $20 a month for unlimited. Helps that we have a 6 land line plan.

[akutad]

Sucks to be an AT&T customer :(

Tethering is great up here in Canada. Couldn't live without it now that I've had it.

+1, also what's cool is that when I'm tethering My HD that's hooked up on my airport extreme shows up under my "shared" in finder. now I can access 1TB of storage anywhere. Love it!

[Chris Blount]

Works 100% in 3.1 beta 2Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! :)

[MarceePauff]

How do you plan to hang onto your $20 plan? I was able to keep mine (which also had 200 texts included) with my 2G up until I ordered the 3GS. The first step in the order process forces you to accept the new $30 plan. I almost didn't order it due to the huge plan hike, but when I looked at "my current plan" on the AT&T Website there was a note saying my $20 plan was going to expire on 8/1 anyway.


Any answer to this yet? I'm wondering the same thing. I'd like to upgrade my phone eventually, but keep my plan and I should be able to - it's still an iPhone; I should be "grandfathered" in. If you speak with an AT&T rep, will they let you just change devices and keep your plan?

[NoExpectations]

...all wireless carriers charge extra for tethering....even if you have an unlimited data plan. These plans were priced under the assumption that all data traffic is to/from the actual device. Passthru traffic (tethering) will totally throw-off the pricing and capacity model.

As you know, tethering allows you to connect your own PC to the wireless network....but it can also allow someone to connect an entire LAN infrastructure behind it as well.

If tethering was free, this would only delay the rollout of MMS for the rest of us until the network capacity was built up to support both. And how would you add network capacity if you were not able to charge customers for the added service?

I have gripes too....but I understand the business model. Nothing is free.

[scubasteve03]

Relax guys! Everything is still very premature. This is just a beta! Some people are saying they are still able to tether with 3.1 Beta 2. I promise there will be another workaround to get tethering later. These guys are on top of their stuff and will find another loophole.

[fabianjj]

Some post back there (I'm too lazy to find it and quote, my apologies) got me thinking of some old phones that had a setting so you could send SMS messages through GPRS, and then they were charged as GPRS data instead (And in Sweden only a handful of people have SMS plans, most people pay per SMS). No matter how expensive your data was 160 Bytes is very little in comparison to what an SMS woud cost.

I believe the Service providers were very pissed off and made the manufacturers disable the feature.

[mobi]

Whoa...big surprise! (...not)

I think I'd rather AT&T allow me to tether with my iPhone for no additional charge, in exchange for making my "unlimited" data plan a "limited" plan of, say, 5GB a month.

There is no such thing as truly "unlimited," as the fine print reveals. So why advertise it as such...let me do what I want with what I pay for, and I will happily accept a less-than-infinite amount of bandwidth for my $30 each month.

Very well stated! Many people share this same viewpoint, myself included!

[iBookG4user]

Well, looks like I'm staying on 3.0 for a while.

[macintoshtoffy]

Anyone know whether this breaks XT tethering in NZ? I don't even own an iPhone but I know that quite a few people are using a "hack" for support over here.

Nope, there should be no need for a 'hack' because all you need to do is set up the settings correctly in the phone after you move it from Vodafone to Telecom XT Network.

No hacks are needed because the phones in NZ aren't sim locked like they are in the US of A.

[Anuba]

+1, also what's cool is that when I'm tethering My HD that's hooked up on my airport extreme shows up under my "shared" in finder. now I can access 1TB of storage anywhere. Love it!
Tethering is fantastic but sometimes you want to plug in the iPhone for charging/syncing without tethering kicking into action. Is there any easy and convenient way to do that? I hate doing it on the iPhone because it takes forever to get to the switch, it's buried under Settings > General > Network > Internet Tethering, which takes half a minute on my slow-as-molasses iPhone 3G... and in OS X there is no on/off switch at all.

[likemyorbs]

why would anyone have rated this article positive? att sympathists much?

[HowEver]

First, nobody has an "unlimited" data plan. AT&T soft-caps at 5GB, no?

Here in Canada, there is the 6GB data plan--and Rogers Wireless and fido do *not* charge extra for tethering. They have hinted that they may start charging in 2010, and also hinted that those on the 6GB plan might still have it free.

Wireless providers are fully aware that data traffic from tethering, whatever the method or purpose, could easily exceed 5 or 6GB. "Passthrough" or not. The only question is whether they will treat data as data. The vast majority don't use a fraction of their available data. Those who over-use it will no doubt be charged.

But we may not be charged extra for tethering. It just isn't known yet.

...all wireless carriers charge extra for tethering....even if you have an unlimited data plan. These plans were priced under the assumption that all data traffic is to/from the actual device. Passthru traffic (tethering) will totally throw-off the pricing and capacity model.

[akutad]

...all wireless carriers charge extra for tethering....even if you have an unlimited data plan. These plans were priced under the assumption that all data traffic is to/from the actual device. Passthru traffic (tethering) will totally throw-off the pricing and capacity model.

As you know, tethering allows you to connect your own PC to the wireless network....but it can also allow someone to connect an entire LAN infrastructure behind it as well.

If tethering was free, this would only delay the rollout of MMS for the rest of us until the network capacity was built up to support both. And how would you add network capacity if you were not able to charge customers for the added service?

I have gripes too....but I understand the business model. Nothing is free.

Nothing is free? Here in canada there is not extra charge for tethering. I get up to 6GB of tethering at no extra charge piggybacked with my data plan.

[ddTaylor]

I'm sure jailbreaking will provide a work around.

I already does - with several applications - iModem and PDAnet with the later being my favorite for ease of use and cost...

D

[Anuba]

...all wireless carriers charge extra for tethering....even if you have an unlimited data plan.
No they don't. TeliaSonera (the iPhone carrier in Scandinavia) doesn't charge anything for it, they just enabled it on the day that 3.0 was released and that was that. They wouldn't dare charge a cent for it because customers would never accept it. A data plan is a data plan is a data plan. You can't charge people for an unlimited data plan and then go "oh, you're actually going to be USING it... well that throws off our calculations completely". :rolleyes:

Stop making excuses on behalf of overly greedy and backwards carriers, they're the ones who have a lot of explaining to do.

[JPark]

Knowing AT&T, the 5GB plan will be $29.99 additional, and if you want unlimited, it will be $39.99 additional. After two years, the $29.99 plan will mysteriously disappear (like the $29.99 voice minutes plan mysteriously disappeared about three years ago), and they will then require anyone who buys an iPhone to mandatorily subscribe to the $39.99 plan.

Yeah, I miss my $29.99 voice plan. I refused to upgrade for 5 years so I could keep it, and I'd still have it now if I hadn't succumbed to iPhone.

[Ronlap]

I think I'd rather AT&T allow me to tether with my iPhone for no additional charge, in exchange for making my "unlimited" data plan a "limited" plan of, say, 5GB a month.

I almost agree. I use my iPhone a LOT more than I use my MacBook outside of my house, for epocrates, email, web, and Foreflight. The only time I would need tethering is if I am in a hotel or airport which doesn't offer free Wi-Fi. As it is, many airports, hotels, and coffee shops already offer free Wi-Fi so my use of tethering would be very small. Looking at my monthly at&t bill I am using less than 1/4 GB/month anyway and some of this would shift to my tethered laptop.

[akutad]

No they don't. TeliaSonera (the iPhone carrier in Scandinavia) doesn't charge anything for it, they just enabled it on the day that 3.0 was released and that was that. They wouldn't dare charge a cent for it because customers would never accept it. A data plan is a data plan is a data plan. You can't charge people for an unlimited data plan and then go "oh, you're actually going to be USING it... well that throws off our calculations completely". :rolleyes:

Stop making excuses on behalf of overly greedy and backwards carriers, they're the ones who have a lot of explaining to do.

I would love to see carriers explain how evenings start at 9:00pm, but for extra $$$ evenings start at 6:00pm and for even more $$$$$ evenings start at 5:00pm. Total *************.

[jamesryanbell]

If it says "unlimited data", I expect them to let me do whatever I want with that. Don't EVER call it unlimited unless I literally can download 2 TB or so. Call it 5GB worth of data. It's not unlimited. Secondly, if I get unlimited data transfer, then I can do ANYTHING I want with it. That's MY loophole. You said it, not me. So that means I get to use it how I want.

When you back out on the deal, it's not cool.

I expect a TON of service and perks for no more money than I already spend.

Crap.

[NoExpectations]

If it says "unlimited data", I expect them to let me do whatever I want with that. Don't EVER call it unlimited unless I literally can download 2 TB or so. Call it 5GB worth of data. It's not unlimited. Secondly, if I get unlimited data transfer, then I can do ANYTHING I want with it. That's MY loophole. You said it, not me. So that means I get to use it how I want.

When you back out on the deal, it's not cool.

I expect a TON of service and perks for no more money than I already spend.

Crap.

Well then, shame on us for signing a contract that excluded tethering....because we did.

[runeasgar]

We can state the evils of at&t all day long. The long and short of it is - we signed a contract, in order to have the iPhone.

To think that Apple and at&t are always going to turn a blind eye to the equivalent of pirating is silly.

Sometimes you get burned. You can get all indignant about something that you should have seen coming, or you can realize that it's your own damn fault.

Personally, I don't hack my iPhone in any form or fashion, and I'm never disappointed when these "unofficial methods" to accomplish things that aren't offered by Apple or at&t get broken.

[dante@sisna.com]

It's really a shame that AT&T and Apple don't get together on this issue and provide a reasonable solution right now.

I am sure costs, support, and bandwidth are valid concerns for them, however this is an important issue for mobile users. Charge and extra and reasonable fee -- most of us will happily pay it. Some will gripe, but the majority will happily 'pony-up' the extra funds.

Personally, I carry a Verizon Laptop wireless card on a plan separate to the iPhone. I pay about $69 a month (with all taxes and fees) and have a 5GB cap which I never come close to.

I use the card for conducting sales and technical meetings to promotes the websites, books and print collateral we design and only when a solid wifi signal is not available at the meeting location.

Please AT&T and Apple, help us out with a sane plan for Tethering: those of us who need it are also your best "opinion leader" sales reps—We tend to be technically savy and our peers ask us for technology recommendations.

Butter Your Bread AT&T / Apple! :apple:

[nagromme]

I know we're stuck with AT&T for now. But just to speculate... Which US carriers DO offer tethering at no additional cost?

[iphone529]

When will people stop and realize that ATT is a business and they will always try to get as much money as they can. They do suck, but look at other carriers in the US they all charge for tethering. It sucks but they are no different.

[jeff1977]

Hard to believe AT&T made Rogers look good. And, Rogers, that should not be taken as a compliment.

[swindmill]

We all know that they can charge for it if they find out about it...

Don

I'm not sure this is true, unless it's in the contract.

[spazzcat]

I know we're stuck with AT&T for now. But just to speculate... Which US carriers DO offer tethering at no additional cost?

As far as I know none do

[gilkisson]

I remain convinced that the overwhelming majority of those who tether-without-paying are those who not so much "need" to tether, but rather:

a) The phone is capable of it;
b) It's a way of proving one's uber-geek capabilities;
c) Taking of a service without paying for it causes no moral qualms;
d) "If I steal it from AT&T, I won't have to buy my own 'net access";
e) "Screw them!"

Or any/all of the above, in various combinations.

It's a service. If you need it, you obtain it. If you need it badly enough, it does not matter what it costs. If you don't need it, it likewise does not matter what it costs.

For myself, there have been times tethering would have been *extremely* handy, like sitting in JFK airport with no free wifi nearby, just bloody Boingo. My choices then were to try to create a report on the phone with WinAdmin (remote desktop app), or buy a day's worth of Boingo. I bought the Boingo. The value of report was worth the eight bucks (or whatever). I expensed it -- heck, the cost of the StarBucks and some vague-foodlike bagel-thing was eight bucks or so, and I expensed that as well.

When tethering becomes reliably available, not cobbled together by installing obscure ipcc files, performing SIM-card coitus and/or lying/stealing, I'll look at getting it. And probably paying for it, *if* I decide I need it enough.

I fear we are getting our various body parts all aflutter over a *want*, not a *need*. They are not the same thing, you know.

[diabolic]

I'm not sure this is true, unless it's in the contract.

It is in there.

[Scooterman1]

Is this 3.1 going to disable Netshare, also? I will stick with the old if I hear it does!!

Please read the posts in this thread. This has already been answered.

[redkamel]

I am sure they will charge for MMS too in addition to the data plan, those bastards.

I hope verizon gets the iphone and cuts out ATT, but I read an article (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/07/14/verizon_app_store_to_be_mandated_new_blackberry_sells_well.html) that says verizon only plays ball with 1 app store. Their own.

One of the main reasons I had few qualms to switching to ATT from verizon was when I read why verizon passed up the iphone, which obviously was going to be a big moneymaker and end their reputation of only having uncool phones. Their reason? they weren't allowed to put their junk on it.

Now they are saying the same thing. Verizon will you ever learn? you could have me back in an instant if you ended your propietary junk. Provide tubes and towers, nothing more.

[redkamel]

Well then, shame on us for signing a contract that excluded tethering....because we did.

that may be true (haven't read the contract and I dont doubt you), but the way they tell if you are tethering is the amount of data you download. Which is not be a valid argument if you have an unlimited data plan. That is the tetherers argument. (I don't tether, I am just trying to crystallize the problem).

If they say "unlimited data, no tethering", by logic and what I hope is law, they need to find another way to determine if you are tethering. File type sent, upload/download speed, using a flash only site, browser logs, whatever (then its a privacy concern, but thats another thread).

For me its more of a logic/honesty problem on ATTs part than a real concern about tethering.

[twoodcc]

not good. i really hate how they charge so much for tethering

[therumorbadger]

For those saying that they're going to stick with 3.0, it's probably worth pointing out that 3.0 has a flaw whereby your iPhone can be remotely compromised with root access via malicious SMS messages. The specifics of this flaw will be made public at a conference later this month.

That more or less means that it will be possible for someone to completely take over your phone without you even being aware of it. I'm not sure that the tethering hack is worth that kind of vulnerability.

[colonels1020]

Do you use AT&T and are you on Beta 2?

I am and tethering is working great right now. I'm not quite sure what you guys are talking about. :confused:

btw, I used the APN profile from the help.benm website.

[Diode]

I'm going to laugh at the people who think tethering on Verizon would be free ....

[MarkAK]

I remain convinced that the overwhelming majority of those who tether-without-paying are those who not so much "need" to tether, but rather:

a) The phone is capable of it;
b) It's a way of proving one's uber-geek capabilities;
c) Taking of a service without paying for it causes no moral qualms;
d) "If I steal it from AT&T, I won't have to buy my own 'net access";
e) "Screw them!"

Or any/all of the above, in various combinations.

It's a service. If you need it, you obtain it. If you need it badly enough, it does not matter what it costs. If you don't need it, it likewise does not matter what it costs.

For myself, there have been times tethering would have been *extremely* handy, like sitting in JFK airport with no free wifi nearby, just bloody Boingo. My choices then were to try to create a report on the phone with WinAdmin (remote desktop app), or buy a day's worth of Boingo. I bought the Boingo. The value of report was worth the eight bucks (or whatever). I expensed it -- heck, the cost of the StarBucks and some vague-foodlike bagel-thing was eight bucks or so, and I expensed that as well.

When tethering becomes reliably available, not cobbled together by installing obscure ipcc files, performing SIM-card coitus and/or lying/stealing, I'll look at getting it. And probably paying for it, *if* I decide I need it enough.

I fear we are getting our various body parts all aflutter over a *want*, not a *need*. They are not the same thing, you know.

brrrrr,,,,,,,brrrr,,,,,
That's the sound of crickets:eek:

[gilkisson]

brrrrr,,,,,,,brrrr,,,,,
That's the sound of crickets:eek:

It take it you disagree with me, then. That's fine, and not unexpected.

Do you have a point/counterpoint to make, beyond emulating nocturnal insects?

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

I second that. Why does AT&T have to be so money hungry? I understand they are a business and need to make a profit, but at what cost to them? If verizon gets the Iphone in 2010, AT&T are going to lose 75%+ of their iphone customers. We shouldn't have to wait to tether and pay the $60 EXTRA to tether. Look at all of the other carriers that are offering it to free or next to nothing. They are making a killing in profit because of all of the increased business. I am gone as soon as possible even if I have to pay the $180 early termination fee. Is anyone with me? And Apple...why are you biting the hand that feeds you. AT&T are not keeping you in business, WE are!
1) Do you think Verizon would encourage free tethering? Don't mix being 'money-hungry' with protecting their ability to receive revenue from standard practice. And if you're going to use the word 'money-hungry' to describe this, apply it to the whole industry. And even if these companies didn't mind, Apple would probably be interested in resolving a known hack regardless.

2) Verizon has only one thing going for them--they've got the best coverage for phone calls. I would *never* go back to them, though, because their customer service is utterly abhorrent (they make AT&T look like angels), and they're by far the most 'money-hungry' cellular service provider of all.

[uberamd]

I second that. Why does AT&T have to be so money hungry? I understand they are a business and need to make a profit, but at what cost to them? If verizon gets the Iphone in 2010, AT&T are going to lose 75%+ of their iphone customers. We shouldn't have to wait to tether and pay the $60 EXTRA to tether. Look at all of the other carriers that are offering it to free or next to nothing. They are making a killing in profit because of all of the increased business. I am gone as soon as possible even if I have to pay the $180 early termination fee. Is anyone with me? And Apple...why are you biting the hand that feeds you. AT&T are not keeping you in business, WE are!

Mmmmmm, I love the taste of statistics without any base to support them. Delicious. You sir have no idea what you are talking about. If you think that Verizon will charge $0 for iPhone tethering, you are nutso.

[harrier]

I remain convinced that the overwhelming majority of those who tether-without-paying are those who not so much "need" to tether, but rather:

a) The phone is capable of it;
b) It's a way of proving one's uber-geek capabilities;
c) Taking of a service without paying for it causes no moral qualms;
d) "If I steal it from AT&T, I won't have to buy my own 'net access";
e) "Screw them!"

Or any/all of the above, in various combinations.

It's a service. If you need it, you obtain it. If you need it badly enough, it does not matter what it costs. If you don't need it, it likewise does not matter what it costs.

For myself, there have been times tethering would have been *extremely* handy, like sitting in JFK airport with no free wifi nearby, just bloody Boingo. My choices then were to try to create a report on the phone with WinAdmin (remote desktop app), or buy a day's worth of Boingo. I bought the Boingo. The value of report was worth the eight bucks (or whatever). I expensed it -- heck, the cost of the StarBucks and some vague-foodlike bagel-thing was eight bucks or so, and I expensed that as well.

When tethering becomes reliably available, not cobbled together by installing obscure ipcc files, performing SIM-card coitus and/or lying/stealing, I'll look at getting it. And probably paying for it, *if* I decide I need it enough.

I fear we are getting our various body parts all aflutter over a *want*, not a *need*. They are not the same thing, you know.

I agree but what ticks a lot of us off is, we're paying for the access so why should it matter if we use our laptop or the phone? (Understand part of the answer could be the laptop usage would probably consume more bandwidth than typical iphone usage.)

The $30 data plan, the $30 unlimited texting, and the base service fees already put most of us at or above the limit for cell-related expenses. Maybe they could put together some bundles like the evil cable companies so at least we get some kind of break.

[theITGuy]

People really must imagine AT&T's logo as the Death Star...for every happy Verizon customer out there...there's a few grumpy ones as well...these telcos are in business to make money...

I sincerely doubt that a Verizon iPhone would cause AT&T to loose a significant number of customers...

Cheers.

-J.-

[Scallywag]

Please AT&T and Apple, help us out with a sane plan for Tethering: those of us who need it are also your best "opinion leader" sales reps—We tend to be technically savy and our peers ask us for technology recommendations.

Butter Your Bread AT&T / Apple! :apple:

This is very true for me. Not that it matters, but my recommendations here at work have lead to dozens of sales for Apple, from laptops to iPhones and everything else (which, in turn, lead to thousands of $ in iTunes sales.) I could use a little kickback, I've earned it!!!

(no??...oh well...)

Here's an Idea...make tethering a real pain in the ass to enable, and don't promote it, but make it free. 98% of iPhone users will never bother to set it up, and those of us that have helped Apple make sales through our recommendations gets a nice gift in return!! (or so we can tell ourselves.)

(no??...oh well...)

I think a huge majority of iPhone users would never use tethering, free or not. AT&T's is being overly greedy, and Apple should flex it might and stop them. At least make it free to Apple laptop users... charge windows users!!!!

[co.ag.2005]

If any of you honestly think Verizon is gonna be your savior for cheaper service, guess again.

Not only will they attempt to cripple the iPhone's abilities to hell (or at least control it more than AT&T would ever attempt to do), but they're just as bad if not worse when it comes to monthly plans.

You really, REALLY want to pay out the rear? Get the iPhone to move to Verizon. Maybe they'll lockdown your GPS, and God knows whatever else on the phone. That's what they're good at.

+1

I don't know why it is so difficult for posters to get this through their head.. I mean people think Verizon is some miracle network that would never charge people for their services... geez...

[mteahan]

I think that most of us are interested in tethering for occasional use, vacations or checking mail in a coffee shop. If AT&T were to make the first couple of gigabytes free with the existing data plan, it would accommodate that part of the market, make customers feel like they are actually valued and preserve the "screw you" rate plans for those that need it.

Nominal use won't screw the bandwidth. I stream Pandora through my car radio as it is, and for the price I pay for the service I think I am more than entitled.

[RangerXML]

Not upgrading till tethering works. Me thinks I'm going to undo the jail break when I get home from work today, just so there is no chance of any future mishaps until tethering work around or AT&T offer tethring.

[cmwade77]

I think phone companies should be required to unlock your phone after your contract has ended to work with any compatible carrier.

Here's a note about a major provider in the U.S. that doesn't impose a 5 GB CAP:
Boot Mobile provides unlimited voice, text and data for $50 a month, this is prepaid and includes all taxes and fees, I read through their terms of service and it basically states that you can use all you want, providing that you don't intentionally do anything that would cause the system to be unusable for other people. No specific caps, just don't hog all of the bandwidth and you are good.

Please note that Boost Mobile uses the Nextel portion of the Sprint network, which uses GSM technology, so it would be compatible with an unlocked iPhone.

[Yuusharo]

Not upgrading till tethering works. Me thinks I'm going to undo the jail break when I get home from work today, just so there is no chance of any future mishaps until tethering work around or AT&T offer tethring. The jailbreak is undone when you do a complete restore of the OS. You'll return to a vanilla iPhone easily.

Keep in mind that if you have a 3GS, you need to grab those ibec and ibss files for 3.0 if you want to jailbreak in the future. Also, updating to an official firmware will disable your ability to unlock your iPhone in the future, possibly forever, if you choose to do so.

That said... It was pretty inevitable that this hole would be plugged up pretty quickly. It was simply too easy to do so. I might keep around my old 3G running 3.0 just until there's a more practical solution, and swap the sim cards as needed.

[peteelew]

My Netshare still works with 3.0-- I wonder whether it will work with 3.1

[uberamd]

+1

I don't know why it is so difficult for posters to get this through their head.. I mean people think Verizon is some miracle network that would never charge people for their services... geez...

Because some people have no idea what they are talking about, and are convinced God himself created Verizon with the help of Jesus and the dinosaurs. Guess what, God, Jesus, and dinosaurs had no part in the creation of the Verizon network. Thus, any idea that Verizon will somehow make the iPhone be much more awesome for a lower cost per month is STUPID.

All of the ludicrous comments that get spouted off here really give me a lot of laughs. Verizon will sooner put their own stuff on the phone then nickel and dime you until the cows come home than give you free tethering. And they probably won't even stop once the cows arrive.

http://steve.blogme.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/verizon_network.jpg

[dagamer34]

It's not that Verizon having the iPhone magically takes it away from AT&T, but competition in theory creates lower prices for everyone.

OR, Congress might finally get off their collective asses and start investigating price fixing.

[jav6454]

How do you plan to hang onto your $20 plan? I was able to keep mine (which also had 200 texts included) with my 2G up until I ordered the 3GS. The first step in the order process forces you to accept the new $30 plan. I almost didn't order it due to the huge plan hike, but when I looked at "my current plan" on the AT&T Website there was a note saying my $20 plan was going to expire on 8/1 anyway.

Lol, its a small secret from a Space Kitty.

[Illusion986]

Ah, so much crying.
Let your phone carrier decide what is better for you

:eek: I hope your being sarcastic

[bubba*nix]

Tethering still works with the updated mobileconfig profile on beta 2. It's sad that "people report" stuff to be broken when it isn't. Those "people" are idiots.

[nightmoves13]

Tethering still works with the updated mobileconfig profile on beta 2. It's sad that "people report" stuff to be broken when it isn't. Those "people" are idiots.

I guess your one of the lucky few it still works for, you are on ATT right? what mobileconfig did you use

[NoahK17]

I am using an iPhone 3GS with OS version 3.1 Beta 2, and using the updated AT&T 5.0 profile (which enables MMS and Tethering) still works 100% perfectly.

- I tether when I'm at a Starbucks.
- I tether when I'm at the Airport.
- I tether when I'm riding in a car.

Whoever "reported" that Beta 2 disabled the 5.0 profile hack was sadly mistaken. But then again, this is a "rumors" site. :)

[nightmoves13]

I am using an iPhone 3GS with OS version 3.1 Beta 2, and using the updated AT&T 5.0 profile (which enables MMS and Tethering) still works 100% perfectly.

- I tether when I'm at a Starbucks.
- I tether when I'm at the Airport.
- I tether when I'm riding in a car.

Whoever "reported" that Beta 2 disabled the 5.0 profile hack was sadly mistaken. But then again, this is a "rumors" site. :)

Lots of people have had it broken! what carrier profile did you use (link) I tried the one i had plus the one on help.benm no luck!

[jav6454]

I am using an iPhone 3GS with OS version 3.1 Beta 2, and using the updated AT&T 5.0 profile (which enables MMS and Tethering) still works 100% perfectly.

- I tether when I'm at a Starbucks.
- I tether when I'm at the Airport.
- I tether when I'm riding in a car.

Whoever "reported" that Beta 2 disabled the 5.0 profile hack was sadly mistaken. But then again, this is a "rumors" site. :)

Good for you! This is a news article reporting what is happening to many people, not just you.

[cloudmike]

I think that most of us are interested in tethering for occasional use, vacations or checking mail in a coffee shop. If AT&T were to make the first couple of gigabytes free with the existing data plan, it would accommodate that part of the market, make customers feel like they are actually valued and preserve the "screw you" rate plans for those that need it.

I'm in the same boat. But somehow I can't imagine a day when I actually feel valued by a phone company. =(

[bubba*nix]

I guess your one of the lucky few it still works for, you are on ATT right? what mobileconfig did you use

My own customized for my corporate device (VPN, Wifi, Certs, Exchange, Policies). Just left it unsigned and changed stuff myself. Just put this in the APN's section above the password entry.


<key>type-mask</key>
<integer>-2</integer>

[nightmoves13]

My own customized for my corporate device (VPN, Wifi, Certs, Exchange, Policies). Just left it unsigned and changed stuff myself. Just put this in the APN's section above the password entry.


<key>type-mask</key>
<integer>-2</integer>



can u upload the actual ipcc so some of us with it not working can try

[bubba*nix]

can u upload the actual ipcc so some of us with it not working can try

It's not an IPCC change. Download iPhone Configuration Utility from Apple, add the APN information for your provider (http://help.benm.at/cfgs/us_att.mobileconfig), edit the file with vi and add those 2 lines.

[davesmall]

The way I see it we are already paying AT&T excessive monthly charges for data access via the iPhone. Tethering is B]data access via the iPhone[/B]. If they try to charge extra for tethering they'll be double charging for the B]data access via the iPhone[/B] that we're already paying for. That would really really really suck.

[pendolino]

Tethering is fantastic but sometimes you want to plug in the iPhone for charging/syncing without tethering kicking into action. Is there any easy and convenient way to do that? I hate doing it on the iPhone because it takes forever to get to the switch, it's buried under Settings > General > Network > Internet Tethering, which takes half a minute on my slow-as-molasses iPhone 3G... and in OS X there is no on/off switch at all.

you can do this by creating a new 'location' on the mac using network preferences where the tethering/iphone port (installed when you enable and activate tethering) is switched off. call this your general/normal/automatic location and call the other 'iphone' or something similar. in the iphone location i have wifi disabled since i dont need it for that use. let me know if you have trouble setting this up.

[Andrew Henry]

So heres my thoughts on this:

I'm not a hardcore tetherer, I use it with my netbook when there isn't a wifi network around, so to expect me to pay another 50+ dollars on top of what I already pay for data is ludicrous, I would be happy if they said, okay for you occasional tetherers we will give you 5gb to use, if you exceed that you will be charged, or you can upgrade to an actual tethering plan. Because I know that there are people who could / will easily exceed 5gb monthly but for those of us that use it once in awhile it should be included in our plan, if you're a power user, you already know that, and you're willing to pay the extra money to have a more robust tethering plan.

Don't get me wrong, I believe in paying for the services that you need, but if there's no possible way that I am going to use more than a small amount then it would be pointless for me to pay 50 dollars or more a month for something I would only use occasionally.

Just my .02

[macsamillion]

So help me out here. I just saw an AT&T tv ad that said, " when you subscribe to AT&T DSL you can connect to any AT&T Wi-Fi Hot-Spot around town with your laptop... all for the same low price." So how is tethering different? It not like you can use your phone while it's tethered; what does AT&T care what is processing the data, or how your using the connection that you're paying. Sounds to me like a double standard. Any thoughts?

As far as I am concerned the sooner that Apple dumps AT&T the better—why would a company with the best customer service get in bed with the company that has the worst?

[Mal]

So help me out here. I just saw an AT&T tv ad that said, " when you subscribe to AT&T DSL you can connect to any AT&T Wi-Fi Hot-Spot around town with your laptop... all for the same low price." So how is tethering different? It not like you can use your phone while it's tethered; what does AT&T care what is processing the data, or how your using the connection that you're paying. Sounds to me like a double standard. Any thoughts?

As far as I am concerned the sooner that Apple dumps AT&T the better—why would a company with the best customer service get in bed with the company that has the worst?

Umm, AT&T DSL and AT&T Wireless services are not the same. If you subscribe to either, sure, you get the Wi-Fi hotspots thrown in, but DSL goes over the phone lines, which don't have a particular limit to bandwidth where the whole network can be brought down. The AT&T Wireless network does, and could potentially be brought down by usage significantly exceeding the current load (which is a potential risk with allowing tethering). Even bringing up the completely unrelated ad shows a failure to understand what you're listening to/reading in regards to this matter.

BTW, I'm not in favor of exorbitant charges for tethering, but I think a $10 charge on top of the data charge already there is not unreasonable. Given prior history, however, AT&T will likely charge $30 instead, which is a bit too high.

jW

[Master Chief]

Why do we need an additional data plan for tethering in the first place? It's just data, so how do carriers differentiate tethering data from "ordinary" iPhone data?

[Anuba]

Why do we need an additional data plan for tethering in the first place? It's just data, so how do carriers differentiate tethering data from "ordinary" iPhone data?
There is no difference, they're just making up far fetched excuses to gouge more money out of customers.

AFAIK it's only in the US that carriers are doing this. I was told it's because American carriers equate "unlimited" data plans to all-you-can-eat buffets, that "unlimited" is just a marketing term that shouldn't be taken literally(!). Sounds like a scam operation if you ask me.

[daveak]

There is no difference, they're just making up far fetched excuses to gouge more money out of customers.

AFAIK it's only in the US that carriers are doing this. I was told it's because American carriers equate "unlimited" data plans to all-you-can-eat buffets, that "unlimited" is just a marketing term that shouldn't be taken literally(!). Sounds like a scam operation if you ask me.

No it isn't just the US carriers, O2 are just as bad in the UK.

[pika2000]

Here are the problems:
1. Despite how crappy AT&T is, will people leave? Nope. Sales of iPhone 3GS is AT&T's best sales ever. So if I'm AT&T, why should I should do any better if people are still flocking and giving me money?
2. Will people get the tethering plan? This is a catch 22. If many get it, AT&T will say "Oh, that means the price is right." If nobody get it, AT&T will simply say "See, there's no demand for tethering, so to get more revenue, we should price it even more."

[winterspan]

.... no such thing as truly "unlimited," as the fine print reveals. So why advertise it as such...let me do what I want with what I pay for, and I will happily accept a less-than-infinite amount of bandwidth for my $30 each month.

Exactly. I'm really sick of this behavior. First they advertise "unlimited data", but in reality anything over 5GB is "abusive use" and is charged more. Then they tell you that you cannot use said connection for "real-time video streaming, server applications, data acquisition, etc" which is just as ridiculous -- trying to mandate what you can do with your 5GB. DATA IS DATA!

AND THEN they have the nerve to charge you $30 more a month to tether your phone to your computer despite it using the very same 5 gigabytes in the first place! And they ALL do this!

This in unacceptable and if they don't change this, their hand needs to be forced. Overall. The USA badly needs more telecom competition. A country and economy so big should have far more providers.

[Anuba]

Exactly. I'm really sick of this behavior. First they advertise "unlimited data", but in reality anything over 5GB is "abusive use" and is charged more.
TeliaSonera in Sweden used to have unlimited data, and when they said unlimited it was literally unlimited. They had that for years, up until a couple of months ago. Sadly they couldn't keep it up, because all it took was one or two bittorrent junkies hogging all the bandwidth 24/7 to make it suck for everyone else in that area. The current technology simply isn't built to handle large numbers of users who are all downloading like mad. You still need wired broadband for that.

Once TeliaSonera capped it at 5GB they immediately stopped using the term "unlimited" in their marketing. The laws are very strict on that issue. For example, broadband carriers aren't allowed to use the maximum theoretical speed in their advertising. They can't say "24 Mbit" if it's not 24 Mbit at all times, they have to label it "12-24 Mbit".

No it isn't just the US carriers, O2 are just as bad in the UK.
Alright, US and UK. Tethering is free in Canada and most of the EU, though.

I'm sure O2 won't be so cocky once one or two more carriers are allowed to sell iPhones.

[Chris Blount]

I think that most of us are interested in tethering for occasional use, vacations or checking mail in a coffee shop. If AT&T were to make the first couple of gigabytes free with the existing data plan, it would accommodate that part of the market, make customers feel like they are actually valued and preserve the "screw you" rate plans for those that need it.
Exactly and agree! I don't use tethering for every day use. It's mostly when I'm stuck in an airport without wifi or something. I think the last time I tethered (with NetShare) was back in January.

AT&T really needs to come up with a plan for occasional users.

[krunkologist]

Has anyone actually been charged for going over 5 gigs? I went over last month and didn't get any extra charges. Does anyone actually have evidence of this so called soft cap or is it all just a bunch of hot air?

I suspect the latter. Peace out.

[manhattanboy]

Exactly. I'm really sick of this behavior. First they advertise "unlimited data", but in reality anything over 5GB is "abusive use" and is charged more. Then they tell you that you cannot use said connection for "real-time video streaming, server applications, data acquisition, etc" which is just as ridiculous -- trying to mandate what you can do with your 5GB. DATA IS DATA!

AND THEN they have the nerve to charge you $30 more a month to tether your phone to your computer despite it using the very same 5 gigabytes in the first place! And they ALL do this!

This in unacceptable and if they don't change this, their hand needs to be forced. Overall. The USA badly needs more telecom competition. A country and economy so big should have far more providers.

I agree 100%

[manhattanboy]

Here are the problems:
1. Despite how crappy AT&T is, will people leave? Nope. Sales of iPhone 3GS is AT&T's best sales ever. So if I'm AT&T, why should I should do any better if people are still flocking and giving me money?


This is sad but true

[Chris Blount]

Here are the problems:
1. Despite how crappy AT&T is, will people leave? That's opinion. There are many people that don't think AT&T is crappy. If they truly were crappy, the iPhone wouldn't help them.

[Buschdawg]

Is anyone being billed for "data ropamion" or any other additional fee for using the unauthorized tethering?

[JuBe]

I second that. Why does AT&T have to be so money hungry? I understand they are a business and need to make a profit, but at what cost to them? If verizon gets the Iphone in 2010, AT&T are going to lose 75%+ of their iphone customers. We shouldn't have to wait to tether and pay the $60 EXTRA to tether. Look at all of the other carriers that are offering it to free or next to nothing. They are making a killing in profit because of all of the increased business. I am gone as soon as possible even if I have to pay the $180 early termination fee. Is anyone with me? And Apple...why are you biting the hand that feeds you. AT&T are not keeping you in business, WE are!

See the big misconception is that they're losing money. Every year, as they increase their rates and complain of infrastructure up-keep, the construction of new infrastructure becomes cheaper and cheaper--and they get greedier and greedier. And we're left crappy service because the industry is monopolized.

[pika2000]

That's opinion. There are many people that don't think AT&T is crappy.
Nope, people switch to AT&T because the iPhone is a good phone.
If they truly were crappy, the iPhone wouldn't help them.
You can only argue that if the iPhone is available carrier-agnostic.

[tawfiqmp]

I'm going to wait for the official release of tethering... They said "late summer" so I'll be waiting about another month or two for tethering and MMS.... damn you AT&T, damn you! :mad:

[sweetmeat]

Yeah they already make you get the data plan already with PDA phones like the iPhone (there is only a few that you dont have to get the data plan with), the sales person told me the iPhone is constantly sending data and if you didn't get the data plan with the iPhone you would get raped with the bill so they make you get the data plan.

i dunno know how much BS he was slinging or if he was telling me the truth. but isnt that why you have the data plan, it figures that AT&T would charge you for something that should be a feature of the iPhone. hell it was going to be above $100 a month just for service with 400 - 500 minutes, since i am not made of money they can keep the iPhone. i will just keep my current phone in all of its crappyness and buy a iPod touch. i am just waiting for Apple to update the iPod touch to 3GS like hardware.

That is the biggest load of freaking bullcrap that I have ever heard, and I'm pissed that someone would tell you such a blatant lie.

My wife has an iPhone 3gs without ANY data plan AT ALL. Nothing. No data has been sent from or to her phone, and we haven't been charged for any data either, even when she had a iPhone 3g without a data plan.

[Chris Blount]

Nope, people switch to AT&T because the iPhone is a good phone.
Nope. There are people that genuinely think that AT&T is a good carrier.

[deconstruct60]

That is the biggest load of freaking bullcrap that I have ever heard, and I'm pissed that someone would tell you such a blatant lie.

My wife has an iPhone 3gs without ANY data plan AT ALL. Nothing. No data has been sent from or to her phone, and we haven't been charged for any data either, even when she had a iPhone 3g without a data plan.

The following is a copy of a note on the ATT website where you can buy an iPhone:


Please note: AT&T is Apple's exclusive carrier partner for iPhone in the United States. An eligible data plan for iPhone is required. This data plan covers data usage in the United States and does not cover international data usage and charges. If AT&T determines that you are using an iPhone on your account without an eligible data plan, AT&T reserves the right to add an eligible data plan to your account and bill you the appropriate monthly fee.


Go to http://www.wireless.att.com/ and look at what it says if think making the above quote up. It is "unlimited data" also; I didn't got through the whole process to get the final version of the contract. On the web though... this is a nonoptional addition to your account.


Now I suppose you might be able to go to a ATT store and browbeat someone into cooking up a contract without a data plan (e.g., buy the most inexpensive, freebie phone. Pay the early cancel/upgrade fee into a new GS to attach that data free account to an new iPhone. Or perhaps there is a contract buried in some submenu that effectively the same thing without the throwaway phone. ) . However, I suspect they make that very hard to do at this point to do. Additionally suspect, the only reason why your wife isn't dinged for a data plan is because has avoided doing any data over 3G (explicitly sets 3G off and never turns it on). Also wouldn't be surprising if this wasn't a loophole for 1st gen phones that is now gone. (got the 3GS phone by extending the old 1st gen contract two more years.). It is also common, if the carrier changed when evening minutes started, to get the terms of the previous contract to carry over also.

Since time machines aren't not commonly available.... going back to get grandfathered 1st gen contracts isn't an option for everyone. Or not on ATT already to backdoor an data free account onto an iPhone.

[onfire4g05]

verizon wont even let you send pictures/messages/mp3 files over bluetooth in their phones! iPhone will never go to verizon, tmobile is more likely.

Lies. I have one of the 2nd chocolates and have transferred pics and such over bluetooth several times. If you get the right software, you can copy a great deal of the phone over BT (address book, call log, texts, pics, MP3's, etc, etc). I've done it many times.

I used to think I wanted to switch to AT&T for the iPhone, but with the number of people saying how poor their service is, I'd rather have a normal cell phone on Verizon that I can actually use almost 95% of the time (it's kind of hilly in areas so the towers can't always reach the phone, but that's rare).

Now ... if Verizon were to ever get the iPhone, as soon as my contract is up for renewal I'll probably be getting one. :) Otherwise ... my iPod Touch 2G will do justtt fine (though Apple better fix the countless bugs they brought to the device with 3.0!!).

[mike95]

This is really SAD. I have an old tablet which has issues with WIFI Windows7 drivers, so I was improvising by using my iPhone tethered taking advantage of the iPhone's WiFi connecting to my network...

In my case, I wasn't even using 3G data...and simply using the teathering feature to use the Internet on my laptop via the iPhone's WiFi at coffee shops or other WiFi areas...and now this will no longer be the case.

[shantom]

Tethering still works with the new software. Remember, when you upgrade software it cleans the phone and restarts things, all you need to do is re-download the file and reconnect to your mac. I followed the steps and tethering works greta!!

[Yas]

Tethering still works with the new software. Remember, when you upgrade software it cleans the phone and restarts things, all you need to do is re-download the file and reconnect to your mac. I followed the steps and tethering works greta!!

Agreed. Still works on my phone after the 3.1 upgrade. It appears to be a difference in the carrier file.

[MorphingDragon]

Who wants an Unlocked phone fresh from NZ? :rolleyes: