Friday, 4 March 2011

AT&T to support “personal hotspot” for iPhone 4, this time without the wait

iPhone users on AT&T had to wait until last summer before they could tether their handsets to their laptops for on-the-go data access—nearly a year after Apple first announced the feature.
So when it came to the just-announced "personal hotspot" feature for iOS 4.3, which is due to launch late next week, AT&T iPhone owners greeted the news with a predictable question: how long will we have to wait this time?
Well, get ready to be happy. According to Electronista, AT&T is vowing to let subscribers turns their iPhones into mobile Wi-Fi hotspots starting March 11, the day that iOS 4.3 is slated to pop up in iTunes. (Only the iPhone 4 supports the new personal hotspot feature, by the way.)
Verizon iPhone users willing to fork over an additional $20 a month have already been able to wirelessly share their 3G data with up to five nearby Wi-Fi devices.
But next week's iOS update will bring personal hotspot functionality to other iPhone carriers—including AT&T, which is notorious for making iPhone owners wait months and months for such features as 3G data tethering and picture messaging.
AT&T subscribers wishing to share their iPhone's data connection over Wi-Fi will have to sign up for the carrier's existing $45 "DataPro 4GB for iPhone Tethering" plan, which includes 4GB of combined data for both regular and personal-hotspot use.
For its part, Verizon has a $20 add-on plan offering 2GB of mobile hotspot sharing on top of its standard (although soon-to-be-extinct) $30/month unlimited 3G plan, for a total of $50 a month.
That's $5 a month pricier than AT&T, but you'll also get all-you-can-eat (albeit non-tethered) 3G data on your iPhone in the bargain.
Related:
AT&T to get iPhone Personal Hotspot with iOS 4.3 on March 11 [Electronista]

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