AT&T might finally release its feature stranglehold on the iPhone, by allowing internet tethering on the device. It’s a pity it’s taken so long when other phones are quite capable of it without a telco’s meddling.

Internet tethering is merely the ability to pair a phone with a laptop, using it as a modem of sorts. The application JoikuSpot, for instance, allows Symbian phones to work as Wi-Fi modems where computers can then connect to the same Web connection a phone uses. It is possible to tether iPhones to computers, but only if you jailbreak the phones beforehand. The reason? AT&T disallows the function on its phones. But that may soon change, according to Michael Arrington, says ChannelWeb.

Arrington interviewed AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph De La Vega at the Web 2.0 Summit held recently in San Francisco, and though there weren’t any specifics, De La Vega conceded to saying ‘soon’ when asked about a sanctioned tethering method.

Speculation is rife that AT&T will attempt to milk as much money out of customers as it can for the privilege of connection tethering. That’s certainly a backward move that might just encourage users to jailbreak their phones. It’s inconceivable that Apple could relent in allowing AT&T to impose such a painfully stupid restriction.

In ordinary phones, it’s as painless as connecting a laptop and mobile phone via Bluetooth or infrared wireless. The phone then acts as a modem, proving a useful means for laptops to surf when a DSL or Wi-Fi line isn’t available. AT&T isn’t doing itself any favors by its attempt to further restrict mobile surfing.

Telcos are crippling their own efforts to encourage the takeup of mobile broadband. When even tethering is blocked, it’s just a case of AT&T being inordinately selfish, giving consumers a reason to choose jailbroken phones instead of the real deal.

Related:

Entry was posted on Friday, November 7th, 2008 at 10:55 am under News, iPhone.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Erna Mahyuni.
Stumble It!