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.
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