Those with access to the latest iPad iOS 4.2 Beta 2 released this week have found, among other noteworthy additions, that Apple has included tethering options in the settings menu of the iPad.

The options appear to be supported in Europe only, for the time being -  AT&T devices do not reflect the change.

Internet tethering is a feature that allows iPhone and iPad 3G owners to connect their computer to the Internet using the device’s Cellular Data connection.

Particularly, the functionality requires either an iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, or the 3G-capable iPad, and a new version of the iOS (4.0 and newer).

A number of requirements need to be met on the computer side, whether the customer runs Mac OS X, or Windows.

“Internet tethering lets you connect your computer to the Internet using the Cellular Data connection on your iPhone,” Apple explains in a Support document on its website.

“To use this feature, your wireless carrier must support Internet tethering. In addition, your iPhone and computer must meet minimum system requirements.”

Customers are also informed that tethering is not available on the original iPhone.

The company is yet to update the documentation to include references to the iPad.

However, since the iPad runs the same operating system as the iPhone, getting to the Tethering option in the Settings menu involves the same steps as on the iPhone.

As such, users must Tap Settings > General > Network> Internet Tethering to confirm that their carrier supports Internet tethering.

Those who don't see this option but are aware that their carrier does, in fact, support Internet tethering, need to connect their device to iTunes and install a carrier settings update in iTunes.

“If you don't see a carrier settings update, your carrier may not support Internet tethering,” the document outlines.

In such a case, customers have a final resort - contacting their carrier for additional information.