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Monday, November 10, 2008

Why Tethering Is Stupid and Unnecessary

Everybody's talking about tethering, which is the use of a cell phone to connect a laptop to the Internet. Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Palm phones have done it for years. Soon, iPhone and Android-based G1 phones will, too. But TETHERING IS SLOW, AWKWARD AND LAME. We have to do it for one reason only: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and other carriers are greedy, and have no vision. Tethering is your "punishment" for not agreeing to pay more than $1,000 for a separate mobile broadband data plan.

8:17 AM * PERMALINK * 3 comments

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Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know what you are talking about... when i tether with T-Mobile it is absurdly costly. I was able to get a 3.5G Card for my laptop for a fixed fee of $69 per month, unlimited use nationwide under Verizon. I think Sprint has the same deal more or less. GSM carriers are way behind in the USA, and Europe is a crazy "data roaming" drama even under Vodafone which is in almost every country.

Monday, November 10, 2008 11:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

that's a pretty shortsighted comment. tethering is also a way to get free wifi at places that charge for it. it's also a way to get mobile broadband without buying an extra dongle or card. connectivity and performance has been great for me with the HTC Kaiser on AT&T.

Monday, November 10, 2008 1:36:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What are you - some sort of socialist? Your statement about tethering being lame makes a pretty good argument for why tethering is a good idea. It's cheaper than the alternative. It does not require new equipment and signing up for a new subscription service. In a jam, it's ready willing and available. For those that travel infrequently, which is most people, it may provide the only viable method to get email.

Yes, I suppose I agree that I would prefer that the providers give me something better that is free, but unfortunately we have this thing called capitalism that determines what things cost based on what people are willing to pay for them.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 7:27:00 AM  

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