AT&T Confirms iPhone 4 Data Tethering

AT&T, the exclusive iPhone and iPad carrier in the United States, has confirmed the upcoming availability of iPhone tethering via a new, $20-a-month data plan. Existing iPhone customers will have to drop their $30-a-month, unlimited data plan for a new, $25/month, 2GB plan, according to AT&T, as well as the additional $20 per month, to benefit from the new feature.

AT&T’s press release claims that its new wireless data plans should make it “more affordable for more people to enjoy the benefits of the mobile Internet.” The new plans provide large amounts of data to enable customers to enjoy their favorite online activities, the operator says. These include DataPlus, DataPro, and Tethering.

“Smartphone customers – including iPhone customers – who choose the DataPro plan have the option to add tethering for an additional $20 per month,” AT&T is proud to confirm today. “Tethering lets customers use their smartphones as a modem to provide a broadband connection for laptop computers, netbooks or other computing devices,” the US provider of wireless services explains. “Tethering for iPhones will be available when Apple releases iPhone OS 4 this summer,” AT&T confirms.

New iPad customers will see the $25 per month 2 GB plan replaced by the existing $29.99 unlimited plan. Tablet owners would continue to pre-pay for their wireless data plan, the carrier confirmed today, while no contract is required. Those who’ve opted for the $29.99-per-month unlimited plan can continue using it without having to go through any changes, although switching to the new $25-per-month plan with 2 GB of data is possible at any time, according to AT&T.

“AT&T helps mobilize everything on the Internet – your favorite web sites, TV shows, music, games and social networks. Virtually everything previously done while sitting at a computer can now be done on the go,” Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, said. “To give more people the opportunity to experience these benefits, we’re breaking free from the traditional ‘one-size-fits-all’ pricing model and making the mobile Internet more affordable to a greater number of people.”