AT&T Shuts Out US iPhone Users on Tethering for iPhone 3.0 at Launch

Posted by | 06/08/2009 | 11 Comments

Uh, Oh. It looks like that tethering feature for the new iPhone 3.0 firmware will be really cool. If you’re not an AT&T user. During the keynote, Apple announced that tethering will be supported by 22 carriers globally. No mention of AT&T on the slide.   Apple also announced MMS would be available later this summer via AT&T. Maybe things will change once AT&T realizes they’re behind the rest of the world.

If this is true, call it a big FAIL on AT&T’s part.

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Category: Hardware, Mobile, Software

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Warner Crocker is a professional theatre director, producer and playwright and also a Tablet PC enthusiast. He is also a Microsoft MVP for Tablet PCs. Send email to Warner.
  • Tim

    I don’t imagine this helps AT&T renew their exclusivity contract with Apple.

  • http://www.gottabmobile.com Sierra Modro

    It is definitely a big fail. The reaction in the room was unmistakable. With the hint in a later slide that T-Mobile will be supporting tethering, it sounds like AT&T may be getting some competition.

  • http://www.hillmardesign.com Gregg Hillmar

    BIG FAIL is right- we can only hope that this is the end of the exclusive contract…

  • Ron

    This is a huge disappointment. Huge. AT&T has publicly stated for nearly two years that tethering is imminent. I am so angry about this. I cannot wait to move twelve mobile lines to the new carrier, that surely will support tethering. Adios AT&T. You suck!

  • http://www.seosean.com SEOsean

    AT&T to release tethering option today (6/8/09), or so a rep tells me: http://www.seosean.com/blog/iphone-att-to-release-tethering-option-today

  • Ronald

    This is ludicrous. They have been talking about offering tethering for iphone in one way or another for nearly two years.

    The fact they have not made an announcement makes me think they are waiting to see how things will shake out with their exclusive contract with AT&T (follow the money) . . . in the meantime customer’s get screwed.

    AT&T Mobility President and CEO Ralph De La Vega CEO publicly stated on November 8, 2008, tethering for iPhone was coming “soon”. The question is, what does AT&T define as “soon”? Soon to me means a few weeks, maybe a couple months max. But one year? Gimme a break. They are duping all of us.

  • Charles

    Up until now I’ve never considered jailbraking but if AT&T won’t allow me to tether anytime soon, I might take the plunge or get a Verizon Mi-Fi.

  • tim

    No renew with att.I will cancel my contract.

  • GoodThings2Life

    Apparently, they do plan on offering it … eventually … but Gizmodo is reporting that it is rumored to be $70/month for unlimited data.

    http://i.gizmodo.com/5283562/att-mms-delay-may-be-due-to-opt+out-codes-70-tethering-plan-in-works

  • alex

    The strange thing is that my AT&T Tilt has had tethering ever since it was released a couple of years ago. Or, maybe I just don’t understand how these things work!

  • http://www.ivylaw.com JimAtLaw

    The iPhone and AT&T are fine for occasional mobile internet use, and all but worthless as a phone.

    – The speakerphone is unusably quiet, e.g., for use in a car when it is legally required in many U.S. states;
    – It lacks support for MMS messaging, which most other phones have had for years and years now, and STILL doesn’t have it with the release of the 3rd generation of the phone (and don’t tell me that the OS theoretically supports it now – if it’s not offered to the end user, it’s not offered); and most importantly
    – Reception goes back and forth from 5 bars to 1 or even 0 without moving regularly and drops calls constantly in places with 4 or 5 bar (intermittent) coverage.

    I will be giving my iPhone to my wife for use as a web tablet and getting a real phone momentarily.

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