AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph De La Vega during an interview with Michael Arrington at the Web 2.0 Summit, stated that an official iPhone tethering method for AT&T customers would be available “soon”.
Quoted from Mobile Crunch.
What goes unmentioned is any sort of pricing information, which will undoubtedly be a determining factor in the tethering package’s adoption rate. Amongst those interested in tethering their iPhone, I’d imagine that a sizable percentage of them have already discovered alternative solutions, such as PDANet. As long as the iPhone remains vulnerable to jailbreaking, these free, surprisingly simple solutions will be available – and as of late, Apple has made no indication that they’re attempting to block jailbreaks.
Even if the tethering package turns out to be dirt cheap, would a significant chunk of those already tethering make the jump to AT&T’s offering, simply to follow the rules? Doubtful. Are there enough people out there too wary of jailbreaks (or who fear the wrath of their IT guy) to make this worthwhile for AT&T?
This is good news for all the AT&T customers in the United States, how about some love for the Canadians from Fido and Rogers? I gues the Crazy Canucks will have to wait and see.
Mobile Crunch article “AT&T-sanctioned 3G tethering on the way for iPhone”
Tuaw.com article AT&T exec confirms iPhone tethering on the way