Tethering adds another option for connecting computers to the Internet
When laptops can’t get online through Wi-Fi, using a cell phone’s connection can be the place to turn.
I’m out of town right now and my hotel wants to charge me $12 a day for Wi-Fi access. Considering that I’m here for a week, buying Wi-Fi for the duration of my stay would cost more than I pay for a month’s service at my house. That’s unacceptable.
Tethering can provide an alternative to being disconnected in hotels, at conferences, or anywhere else you may find yourself away from strong Wi-Fi connections. Tethering is a means by which computers connect to the Internet via a cell phone. Plug-in a phone and your laptop will connect through the data piped into your phone. It’s cost effective and a novel solution for getting online.
TetherBerry is one company that makes this connection method possible, and the company recently announced that it is changing its name to Tether to reflect upcoming support for Android, iPhone, and Windows Mobile phones. It is available now for BlackBerry users, a segment that often requires connectivity, through the BlackBerry App World.
I have used tethering on several of my phones and it can be as much a headache as a godsend depending on your needs. The advantage is that it provides a “free” solution for connecting to the Internet. Temporary Wi-Fi options can be expensive, but tethering requires only the data plan that you already pay for each month. It also can provide great mobility because it connects anywhere your phone and laptop follow.
The downside is that you are at the mercy of your network. While tethering, I once attempted to upload a YouTube video, but the speeds weren’t fast enough to finish before I lost 3G connectivity. If you cannot find a stability, you will need to be quick and deliberate when tethering. As mobile phone companies continue to strengthen their network with faster speeds and reliable data connections, tethering is becoming more appealing. If you’re currently in need of some on-the-go data connection to your laptop, give it a try.
Filed Under: Computers & Software
Tags: connection, tethering
Hey Andrew, I know that in the U.S., AT&T blocked tethering on the iPhone, at least initially. Will using an app like Tether get around any limitations that your carrier may impose on such an activity?
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If the above is the case when in town for a bit then the next best thing to do is to find a nice café with a free WIFI. Just do a local Google search and voila, espresso as you nibble on your bits and bytes. On the other hand if you’re a frequent traveler, speak to the General Manager and the charge will disappear.
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What a racket these hotels have going.I would go without internet,just on principal…aw maybe not.
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From my understanding, tethering is a separate charge from your phone costs regardless if you are on a data plan. Unless they have changed the rules. I remember an incident when I had my Moto Q syncing with the computer it ended up connecting to the internet. The phone is on a Telus network. Without knowledge, as I continued to surf, the connectivity was drawing from my phone instead of my wireless router. I ended up receiving a bill in excess of $600. And this is with an unlimited data plan.
Can you clarify this?
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