Not that anyone is likely to be surprised that the iPhone 3G lacks tethering (PAM: Phone as Modem) capabilities, but once again like the original iPhone, users hoping to make use of At&t’s 3G data speeds on their laptops are out of luck.  With At&t’s 3G network allowing the ability to simultaneously perform voice and data functions, it would seem that a tethered iPhone 3G would be the perfect blend, but this couldn’t be any further from the truth. According to At&t spokesman, Mark A. Siegel:

At&t will not be supporting a PAM plan for the iPhone 3G. The only available data plan for the iPhone will be the new $30 consumer unlimited data and visual voice mail plan and the $45 business data plan. The latter is charged when a person makes an enterprise type connection to Exchange or a Blackberry server for email or messaging. 

It looks like the days of jailbreaking an iPhone to use unauthorized 3rd party software will continue to be a necessity for anyone needing to tether their iPhone to their laptop.  Unless of course Apple magically decides to override At&t and approves a 3rd party application developer to release authorized tethering software.  This is about as likely as the Lakers coming back from 3-1 deficit against the Celtics in the NBA Finals.

by Nick Marshall posted on Jun 13, 2008 Tags: iphone 3G PAM, iphone 3g tethering, iphone phone as modem