[Edward Kirk]

While we're still waiting for AT&T to announce when tethering will be available here in the U.S. (let alone how much it's going to cost), the lucky bastards fortunate people of Australia will get to sink their teeth into tethering at no extra charge, starting right when the iPhone 3GS launches there on Friday, June 26, courtesy of Vodafone. The offer is their attempt to beat the competition, Optus, which also will be carrying the 3GS.

The 16GB 3GS will be available for free to those who sign up for their $69/month plan for 24 months, which includes $400 of calls and 1GB of data. The 32GB model will also be free for those signing up for a $114 per month plan with unlimited calls and 2GB of data.

Tethering will be enabled for all users at no extra charge, but Vodafone will be offering the ability to add on an extra 1GB for $24.95 or 2GB for $29.95 in case they run out, starting August 2009.

“Until that time any customer who wishes to try the new tethering service can do so using the data allowance included on their plan,” according to Vodafone.

We can only hope AT&T adopts a similar plan. After all, their "unlimited" plan isn't actually unlimited anyway.

[via Macworld]

[NewGuy]

Well...it isn't that much of a stretch either. Having been to Oz a number of times I can tell you that the internet isn't all what it is here in the States.

I was there 2 years ago and dial up was still just making in roads to even metro areas.

[jen729w]

Originally Posted by NewGuy

Well...it isn't that much of a stretch either. Having been to Oz a number of times I can tell you that the internet isn't all what it is here in the States.

I was there 2 years ago and dial up was still just making in roads to even metro areas.

Don't be so preposterous. Unless your idea of a "metro area" is far (far) north Queensland, this is nonsense. I have ADSL2+ delivering 24Mb/s to my place, as do many people I know. I've had it for two years.

Dial up "just making in roads" to anywhere doesn't even make sense. All you need is a phone line! Are you suggesting that Australian metro areas only just got phone lines two years ago?

Comments like this are why the rest of the world thinks Americans are bigoted idiots with a wildly distorted view of their superiority over the rest of the world. My apologies to those of you that aren't like this, I know the few reflect badly on the many. It must frustrate you too.

[ipguy]

Originally Posted by NewGuy

Well...it isn't that much of a stretch either. Having been to Oz a number of times I can tell you that the internet isn't all what it is here in the States.

I was there 2 years ago and dial up was still just making in roads to even metro areas.

Nonsense !!!

I've had also had ADSL2+ running at 24Mbps for over 2 years and everyone else I know has the same.

Here in OZ we read about how you guys get treated by AT&T and other ISP's and carriers and laugh.

You really need to get some perspective !

[k7lvo]

...tethering is NOT free. You'll just pay for it at the end of the month...

[ipguy]

Originally Posted by k7lvo

...tethering is NOT free. You'll just pay for it at the end of the month...

support your claim with a URL

[k7lvo]

Originally Posted by ipguy

support your claim with a URL

You have to "read between the lines." The reason that AT&T isn't offering tethering is because a notebook user uses a lot more data than a handheld user - even an iPhone. Vodaphone's plans are all limited, so the so-called "free" tethering will wind up costing you (in data used) at the end of the month. So, as far as I'm concerned, it's not REALLY "free."

[ipguy]

Originally Posted by k7lvo

You have to "read between the lines." The reason that AT&T isn't offering tethering is because a notebook user uses a lot more data than a handheld user - even an iPhone. Vodaphone's plans are all limited, so the so-called "free" tethering will wind up costing you (in data used) at the end of the month. So, as far as I'm concerned, it's not REALLY "free."

I'm not sure you understand, or maybe it's me.

Free tethering means you can use your iphones data quota as you see fit, if you stay inside you quota you're not charged anything !

Does AT&T offer unlimited data with there iphone plans ?

[k7lvo]

Originally Posted by ipguy

I'm not sure you understand, or maybe it's me.

Free tethering means you can use your iphones data quota as you see fit, if you stay inside you quota you're not charged anything !

That's correct, as far as it goes...

Does AT&T offer unlimited data with there iphone plans ?

Yes, therein lies the rest of the story. AT&T's iPhone data plans are unlimited. AT&T thinks that tethering customers will use a lot more data than non-tethering customers will, loading the system without providing any more revenue. Vodaphone, with their limited plans, has nothing to loose, as long as their system can take the load.

[ipguy]

Originally Posted by k7lvo

That's correct, as far as it goes...

Yes, therein lies the rest of the story. AT&T's iPhone data plans are unlimited. AT&T thinks that tethering customers will use a lot more data than non-tethering customers will, loading the system without providing any more revenue. Vodaphone, with their limited plans, has nothing to loose, as long as their system can take the load.

If that's the case, I would expect AT&T to start charging for tethered data.

As for Vodafone, it's fair to allow there users to use all there data quota as they see fit, it also makes sense that most users will stay within there quota.

Either way Vodafone customers win.

Optus on the other hand is going to charge for tethering as I expect AT&T will.

[k7lvo]

Originally Posted by ipguy

If that's the case, I would expect AT&T to start charging for tethered data.

They may, but I think that the delay is due to their trying to decide which way to go.

As for Vodafone, it's fair to allow there users to use all there data quota as they see fit,

Certainly. It was not my intention to question their marketing decision/strategy.

...it also makes sense that most users will stay within there quota.

Um,, yeah.... just like they pay their credit card balances every month.

Either way Vodafone customers win.

as long as they can pay their bill...

[ipguy]

Your making assumption on users usage habits which isn't the point.
Tethering on Vodafone is free.

[NewGuy]

Originally Posted by jen729w

Don't be so preposterous. Unless your idea of a "metro area" is far (far) north Queensland, this is nonsense. I have ADSL2+ delivering 24Mb/s to my place, as do many people I know. I've had it for two years.

Dial up "just making in roads" to anywhere doesn't even make sense. All you need is a phone line! Are you suggesting that Australian metro areas only just got phone lines two years ago?

Comments like this are why the rest of the world thinks Americans are bigoted idiots with a wildly distorted view of their superiority over the rest of the world. My apologies to those of you that aren't like this, I know the few reflect badly on the many. It must frustrate you too.

Oh for crying out loud. I made no asusmptions about superiority. Its nice of you to instantly jump into the personal attack though. If my one person view was wrong you merely had to say that and offer up either ways I was wrong or how I could have been off. Yet you choose the personal attack route. Which is not uncommon in the digital world. Fail to make a logical or rational point? Go to the personal attack.

I have been to Austrailia numerous times for several extended periods. IN fact to establsih your military with satillete command and control....what is normally called Situational Awareness. So from my perspective and experiance my statement was true. Note that it WAS true and it was one person's view. I have no problem with being wrong...have been many times but having a viscous personal label like that applied? Silliness!

From what I saw, and experianced it was true. I was laughed at many times for my "hi tech" gadgets by my Austrailian counterparts. In fact there was resistance to the technology. Based, on what I was told, was a low robust nature of any high speed digital networks. Granted I didn't do digging but it wasn't my place to do that. I was there to advice and help.

So my apologies. Yet its throwing ignorant comments like "arrogant" or "bigoted" Americans that get it no where. I have been to over 20 different countries. Lived in maybe half of them for better of a year or more. I have a fairly good idea of what the world looks like but then again things change fast what was true yesterday isn't so today.

[k7lvo]

Originally Posted by ipguy

Your making assumption on users usage habits which isn't the point.

Certainly, it's the point. How do you think companies develop marketing plans and sales strategies? Why does every price - of ANY product - end in "99"? Why don't they just round up, for instance, from $99 to $100?

Tethering on Vodafone is free.

On the face of it, yes... However, most consumers will have a larger bill after tethering than before.

[NewGuy]

Att does have unlimited tethering on some plans. Blackberry users get charged $20 and Treo users get charged nothing. Personally I won't pay for this. Free or nothing for me. Just too much doesn't make sense ESPIECALLY when we know that texting costs nothing to do, though they make it seem like its a precious commodity.

I just don't understand that kind of marketing. Its not like I would use tethering. I find myself in a WiFi spot more often. but I suspect I am the odd man out on this.

[Edward Kirk]

Originally Posted by ipguy

Does AT&T offer unlimited data with there iphone plans ?

Yes. It's "Unlimited", with a "reasonable use" cap that I don't remember. The problem is, for those who don't use much data and only need tethering once in a great while when they're traveling or something, we can't use it (legally).

[Australia iPhone]

I live in Australia outside of the main cities and broadband speeds are the slowest in the English speaking world.

[ipguy]

Originally Posted by Australia iPhone

I live in Australia outside of the main cities and broadband speeds are the slowest in the English speaking world.

nonsense !