AT&T continues to claim it will offer tethering support to iPhone users on its network - but remains completely non-committal when it comes to offering any concrete date for introduction of the same. We were told to take any references to tethering in 2009 out of our posts last month so we've given up on seeing it this year, even though AT&T is adverising new Laptop Connect services as we speak.
It has been a year since the carrier promised tethering would be enabled for US iPhone users, “soon”, but speaking to Computerworld an AT&T rep could only say, “We plan to offer tethering on the iPhone but have not announced a date.”
Nice. Particularly when you consider AT&T Mobility President Ralph De La Vega promised tethering would come “soon” way back in November 6, 2008.
We do know AT&T has found it had to upgrade its network to support this feature, or so it claims. Some analysts suggest the company may be reticent in enabling the feature because iPhone users already make such heavy demands on the 3G network.
Certainly data has been in demand in the UK market, where O2 this week confirmed, “The O2 network has seen data traffic increase 20-fold in the last 12 months, doubling every four months,” mainly as a result (it indicated) of iPhone demand.
Given that AT&T may lose its exclusive deal to offer the iPhone at some point next year, it’s possible the company may not introduce tethering until Verizon begins offering an Apple mobile, using the feature as something to boost customer retention.
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Gave Up Back in August
I gave up waiting back in August, and picked up a Mifi from Verzion. Not only did it give me data access easily from my iPhone and MBP, I can make calls via Skype over Verizon's network - covering all those AT&T dead spots I run into in Iowa and other places I travel to (during vacation in Montana in late August, the coverage was great compared to AT&T's very spoty GPRS. No thanks to service that's even slower than EDGE.). At this point, I'd rather have the choice of an alternate carrier than be tethered to AT&T. Also reminded me of how much I miss Verizon and their excellent customer service - if only I could switch my service back to them, and keep an iPhone.
The above post was proudly
The above post was proudly brought to you by the Verizon Wireless' "theres a pose for that" campaign.
:)
No, actually, I have nothing
No, actually, I have nothing to do with Verizon, other than being a customer. I was worried about the tone of it when I read it before saving, but it really is how I feel - be it Sprint or Verizon's version of the Mifi, it is the perfect iPhone accessory to deal with AT&T's limitations. I really wish it weren't needed.
AT&T Sucks
AT&T is a pitiful excuse for a network. They should be spending tons of money to improve their networks very quickly because as soon as the iPhone is available on Verizon, there will be tons of people leaving AT&T. Count me as one (even if I have to pay an early termination fee on my contract). My satisfaction level with AT&T has dropped to the lowest level of any company I have ever done business with. They constantly advertised "fewer dropped calls" and other misleading ad campaigns.
Bye
Bye
Someone ought to find a way
Someone ought to find a way to make a fuss about this on the Jimmy Fallon show, given his interest in things technical and especially apple. Maybe a petition, or some pr-gimmick public event that would play into Fallon's entertainment needs too.
Jimmy who?
Jimmy who?
Verizon MIFI
I just returned from a Mac convention and was shocked by all the Verizon MIFIs I saw by Apple notebook and iPhone users. They all loved them and the ability to use with 5 computers. I miss Verizon too. ATT drops calls on my iPhone every day. I too will return to Verizon if the same iPhone is available with them. ATT is not reliable for phone calls and Verizon MIFI gives you more than tethering one computer to the iPhone. I am sure ATT will come up with a way to limit data use if they ever offer tethering. Verizon MIFI is 5GB for up to 5 devices for $60. If I had Verizon wireless I could cancel my home phone. I cannot with ATT as the phone coverage is very poor in my 3G neighborhood.
Is that right?
How is a Verizon MIFI router limited to 5 computers on the LAN?
Every small router I've owned supports 254 clients.
I have 7 clients on my LAN (one iPhone, one iPod Touch, two laptops, one photo printer, one laser printer, and one desktop for the kids).
My brother's LAN has more devices (he has more teenagers in the house).
Why does Verizon limit it to 5 clients when they already limit bandwidth use? They seem to be reducing its usability as more and more homes increase the number of WIFI devices. Do they have plans to change this?
geek issue
I'll wager that an accurate poll of ALL iPhone users would show that 95%+ have no idea what tethering is.
That may change in the future, but for now, its a geek issue.
Valid, but not even on the radar of the vast majority of users.
.. And I would bet you poll
.. And I would bet you poll ALL iPhone users, you would find out that you are 95% WRONG!!
Can't wait to leave At&t
AT&Ts device is just plain horrible. I'm not even talking about the 3g, making and receiving calls is always a guessing game and the guess is Will it work, will my calls go through, will I get dropped when making a call. Will I be able to retreave a message.
AT&T has given nothing more than broken promises.
but if we all leave AT&T for Verizon?
Is Verizon's network large enough to handle all the data and future demands?
Tethering
In Australia, we are able to use Tethering on our iPhone's. It worked with iPhone 3.0, but was broken as of iPhone 3.1 - we are still waiting on the plugin to be updated for iPhone 3.1.x.
Hopefully it will be released soon.
Personally, I never want to
Personally, I never want to see tethering in the iPhone. The netwrok is bad enough as is. Let it be while I can still make a call.
Count me in as leaving
The day iPhone is available on Verizon; i'm gone from AT&T. I'm also considering leaving anyway, AT&T's service is so bad. More than 3/4 of my calls are dropped the remaining are garbled. I'm 3 blocks from AT&T's world headquarters in Dallas. Anyway, are you getting this Apple? You are losing customers by sticking to this nonsensical arrangement with AT&T.
short and sweet
Apple, AT&T is costing you customers. I'm leaving for Verizon. Bye.
...It's AT&T, enough said!!!
...It's AT&T, enough said!!! (it's so sad)
At&t was garbage 6 years ago.
At&t was garbage 6 years ago. Still garbage now. And you can and full of shit to the list too
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