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Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 12:40 pm
AT&T won't 'speculate' on plans to match Verizon's iPhone Wi-Fi tethering
With Verizon announcing plans to offer its iPhone 4 customers the option to tether several devices to the handset's 3G connection over Wi-Fi, rival AT&T is remaining mum on whether it plans to match that offer for its own iPhone customers.As part of its iPhone announcement Tuesday, Verizon said that each iPhone 4 for its network will come bundled with a free 3G Mobile Hotspot app for tethering the handset's data connection over Wi-Fi to up to 5 devices, such as notebooks, iPads, iPods and other mobile devices.
Upon closer inspection following the announcement, it appears that the Hotspot app is actually a native component built into the yet-to-be-released iOS version 4.2.5, which was running on the CDMA iPhone 4 handsets present at Verizon's presentation Tuesday.
Verizon is likely to charge a standard monthly fee for the actual tethering service, though pricing details were note made available as part of Tuesday's announcements.
Nevertheless, the offer promises more flexibility than AT&T's existing tethering option for iPhone customers, which offers tethering only via Bluetooth or USB for $20 per month. That means AT&T iPhone users can't have their iPad (and most other devices outside of Macs and PCs) piggyback on their handset's data connection.
When asked by AppleInsider whether it has any plans to turn around and match Verizon's WiFi tethering, AT&T wouldn't confirm or deny a move in either direction.
"As you can appreciate, I am not going to speculate on what we might or might not do in the future," said AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel. "For iPhone users who want the fastest speeds, the ability to talk and use apps at the same
time, and unsurpassed global coverage, the only choice is AT&T."
Recently, AT&T has been unwilling to be upstaged by its largest rival. For instance, it took the carrier only a matter of hours last January to match a $30 reduction on its iPhone unlimited voice plan after Verizon announced the cut for its own mobile customers.
The big question for AT&T this time around is whether its already overburdened 3G network has the capacity to keep pace Verizon when it comes to unlocking larger pockets of bandwidth for its customers.
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Previous Comments View All
AT&T has nothing to gain from doing this because it will cannabalize their DSL market. This technology will allow Verizon and other companies to go into competition for Home Networks especially since 4G will eventually be faster than DSL and Cable data connections.
You do realize that Verizon has FiOS, right?
ATT has always given me good service.
You do realize that Verizon has FiOS, right?
There is no new groundwork for laying down fiber optics. It's a dead technology. It just costs too much money to maintain. Verizon can catchup with AT&T without having to lay down new cables while AT&T is stuck with their large network (which they may be in charge of their removal as well). You realize in the near future they will go up against other companies such as DishTV, Viacom and Cox for those same customers? Also, why do you need cable t.v. if you can stream HBO/Showtime from your Mifi or phone with WiFi/DLNA?
There is no new groundwork for laying down fiber optics. It's a dead technology. It just costs too much money to maintain. Verizon can catchup with AT&T without having to lay down new cables while AT&T is stuck with their large network (which they may be in charge of their removal as well).
Fiber optics is a dead technology and old copper isn't? I agree that fiber is too expensive to maintain, at least right now, but I wouldn't exactly classify it as a dead technology.
They will wait until Verizon's data plan pricing is revealed.
Hot Spot tethering is not free, mind you! That service is costly. And someone (users) has to pay for it.
I really hope AT&T allows tethering over WiFi so I can use my iPad when travelling, although I could definitely see that hurting iPad 3G sales.
I'll say though, I will often check Google Maps or an internet site when I'm talking with someone, but since I don't travel but 2 or 3 times a year, I hardly ever have a need to tether my phone. In this case AT&T is a clear winner for me.
AT&T has nothing to gain from doing this because it will cannabalize their DSL market. This technology will allow Verizon and other companies to go into competition for Home Networks especially since 4G will eventually be faster than DSL and Cable data connections.
tethering is for when you are away from home or traveling, not to replace DSL at home. The data caps become a problem if you try to use it at home. I just upgraded my iPad to an iPad 3G, something i wouldn't have to do if my iPhone worked as a hot spot. I got this for when I'm away from home but not traveling (i.e. at an appointment, riding in the car, etc.), I have a myfi for when I travel. The hotspot feature could replace two data plans and could make it cost effective to pay an early termination fee. I'm going to give AT&T until my myfi subscription expires to offer this.
I just read the Verizon published FAQ's and at first glance, there seems to be more "Yes's" than "No, you can'ts."
Proof will be in how Verizon prices the plans compared with ATT. Hopefully, they will be aggressive and force ATT to reduce prices to match Verizon...but I'm not holding my breath on this one! 
I don't especially like Verizon but if they price WiFi bridging right I will move to Verizon come Feb. Tethering would be acceptable but sadly AT&T wants to charge $20 for nothing. That is no extra data just the privilege of tethering. We all know what sort of "joke" that is (quoted joke because it is nicer than using the proper word)
So AT&T step up to the plate and convince me that there is a reason to stay with your service. Don't go on about how great your system is because honestly you have been better in most regards than Verizon locally. It is just the fact that charging $20 for nothing isnt acceptable. 3 years ago when I switched to AT&T I was actually very displeased with Verizon for numerous reasons so understand I really don't want to go back.
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AT&T has nothing to gain from doing this because it will cannabalize their DSL market. This technology will allow Verizon and other companies to go into competition for Home Networks especially since 4G will eventually be faster than DSL and Cable data connections.