T-Mobile to debut tethering plan on November 3rd, $14.99

By on Oct 26, 2010 at 7:12 AM
Exclusive October 26, 2010

Listen up T-Mobile tetherers, we’ve just been sent in some intel that indicates America’s fourth largest carrier will begin to offer/charge for tethering on November 3rd. The Tethering and Wi-Fi Sharing Add-On, which will have a monthly cost of $14.99, will allow customers to use their smartphones as a tethered modem or Wi-Fi hotspot. Starting on 11/3, in order to legally share your device’s internet connection on T-Mobile, you’ll need: a 3G or HSPA+ capable device, an unlimited web plan of $19.95 or higher, and the $14.99 tethering add-on. The offering will be available to both postpaid and Flex Pay customers who meet the above requirements. Hit the jump to check out the full memo and let us know what you think.

Thanks, K!

Tethering and Wi-Fi Sharing Add-On Feature Launches November 3

Overview
On November 3, T-Mobile will launch a tethering and Wi-Fi sharing add-on feature.  This feature will allow customers to use their phone as a modem, enabling them to connect a computer or Wi-Fi capable device to the Web using our 3G or HSPA+ network.

By adding this add-on feature, which will cost $14.99/month, customers will gain access to the Web when they are on the go and wherever T-Mobile has coverage.  Although most customers will use their laptop to access our network through their device, they will also be able to connect using any Wi-Fi capable device, like gaming devices, non-T-Mobile tablets like the iPad, and music players. Customers can make the phone-as-modem connection using a USB cable, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi sharing.

Requirements

  • Customers must have a 3G or HSPA+ compatible device to utilize the Tethering/Wi-Fi sharing feature.
  • Customers must have an Unlimited Web feature with an MRC of $19.95 or higher.
  • Customers must add the $14.99 Tethering/Wi-Fi add-on feature.
  • This is a separate add-on feature and in addition to the Unlimited Web feature.
  • Available for postpaid and FlexPay customers. Note: FlexPay customers will need to change their Unlimited Web feature in order for the new tethering add-on feature to work.

Right fitting
Tethering/Wi-Fi sharing will be ideal for customers who:

  • Need occasional access to the Web using a PC or other device.
  • Want a connection to the Web on-the-go, wherever T-Mobile has coverage.
  • Don’t see the need or want the expense of a complete mobile broadband experience, like T-Mobile’s webConnect.  Note: customers who intend to use their laptops to access the Web frequently, or use a high amount of data, should consider a webConnect plan.

Additional Details

  • Customers who purchase a T-Mobile mobile broadband product like the upcoming Galaxy Tab should activate with a webConnect plan to ensure the best experience.
  • The set-up process will be determined by the type of device customers own and will be different for every manufacturer.
  • The data accumulated while tethering will count towards customers’ 5GB data speed reduction threshold limit.
  • Because T-Mobile Terms & Conditions have not permitted tethering in the past, those customers who have configured their device for tethering will receive a message on their handset advising them they will need to add the new add-on feature to continue using their device as a modem.

Action

  • Be aware dealers can begin selling the Tetherng/Wi-Fi add-on feature beginning November 3.
  • Review the Grab & Go for additional information.
  • Beginning November 3, refer to policy pages: T-MobileNews > In-Store Polices and Procedures
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124 Comments

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  • airoff

    So if you pay the $15 does the 5GB/month limit no longer apply?

    • ScratchSF

      It looks like the $15/month is only for the “opportunity” to use tethering. It does not change the 5GB speed reduction threshold.

  • vision77

    I hate to say it but all Tmo has to do is look at what sites we’re connecting to and they will be able to tell (in theory) who is tethering. My remedy would be to get a sign up/or set up a vpn ;)

    • Zitro

      Well with Android 2.2 having flash player built in, all most all on line videos are accessable. So even if they try to flag video websites it still hard to tell if it’s going to a computer or straight to the phone.

  • cheap bastards

    T-Mobile’s pricing is very, very competitive for contract-complaint tethering. What the response in this thread shows is that this site is read by a bunch of entitled freeloaders and/or teenagers, or people that come off like them. Do you really think the other carriers have better deals?? If so, stop whining and sign up with them.

    • Zitro

      The whole point of so called “whining” is that we have all been bambozeled. The Android developers have created 2.2 to allow for stock wireless tethering. T-mo may have not “supported” or had an official plan for tethering in the past but has never said anything against it. Every other carrier has officially pussed out and wants money for something that the operating system has offered for free. Google is trying to be a liberater in a sense like when certian carriers charged to have turn by turn navigation apps on thier phones. Google said, “watch this, ha ha” and released the very impressive Google Maps Navigation that came standard on Android devises. I feel like the carriers are pissed and said are saying to Google and us mobile phone subscribers that they are not gonna let us get away with murder again. So basically the consumer and Google are getting the finger because the carriers want more money. So we are not whining, the carriers are.

      • NuShrike

        It’s still whining unless we all go to our Congressmen and demand action be taken against these monopolistic, collusional practices that only milk customers without adding real value for it. Considering how well the SMS charges fight went …

    • watbetch

      The same cheap bastards are the ones who asked so dearly for it on the G2. Now that they have it and have to pay $14.99 for it the BAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW session is in full force

    • Bosephus Jones

      This has absolutely nothing to do with price.

      The fact is, if I bought a computer and I bought a phone, I should be able to use it how I see fit.

      If I purchased a phone that has tethering capabilities out of the box (AS ADVERTISED, since the G2 was touted as having stock Android–which comes with tethering built in–though we’ve since discovered the G2′s OS has been tampered with, likely by T-Mobile), and if I own my computer, I should be able to use both devices as I see fit. T-Mobile has absolutely no right to dictate how I connect them–and certainly no right to charge for said connection.

      I’m paying for the data network. By charging for HOW you access the network, T-Mobile (and all other telecoms) is raping the public.

      It’s the mob tactics–not the price–that piss people off.

      • watbetch

        Google specifically stated that tethering and the hotspot feature is enabled for use at the carriers discretion. That’s why it’s only going to work when you have this feature on your account. Thank Google for that.

  • Zitro

    Excuse the spelling, I was in a hurry.

  • http://www.twitter.com/mattstkc MattSTKC

    I Dare T-Mobile to prove I’m tethering. There’s no way. Data is sent/received the same no matter if I’m tethering or browsing from the phone. Badwidth use won’t work because I don’t have a file size limit downloading or uploading.

    What sites I use won’t work because I have flash and can do whatever I want on the internet until I hit 5 gig and get throttled.

    So T-Mo.. I might be tethering, but PROVE IT. If you can’t, I’ll continue to do it free. :-)

    • Aerilus

      might want to use a tool bar that can mask/convert your browser id to whatever version of chrome android is using. if you are broadcasting that you are using internet explorer to browse the internet on an android phone they might be suspicious

  • http://www.facebook.com/invectivelover JDean86

    They can actually do something to make my phone NOT tether until I add the tether plan? I have a touch pro 2.

  • Jack Armstrong

    Like I said earlier, I’ve received the text telling me that my speed is now throttled since I’ve used more than 5gb, but, my speed has never actually gone down. T-Mo has really good plans and a very fast 4g network where I am, it would be to bad to have that end, but so far, it’s just all bluster, I see no speed reduction.

    • serpentor

      So, you’re the mudderfckr ruining it for the rest of us. FU, Jack Armstrong. FU.

      • Jack Armstrong

        That’s me and I’m glad I am sucking down all YOUR personal bandwidth :)

  • Luc

    T-Mobile also recently announced it will charge for data using a tiered pricing scheme, and on top of that the consumer will now have to pay extra for tethering their phone to a computer.

    My three complaints are:

    (1) Tiered data pricing impedes net neutrality, by discriminating against users who have higher data needs;

    (2) tiered data pricing is increasingly impractical and cost-dangerous for the consumer in the smartphone world, because the user has little control over, or knowledge of, how much data “background services” running on the phone are pulling down, meaning the chance of consumers being slapped with a huge unexpected bill at the end of the month is high.

    (3) The user is already paying for data, why should they have to pay an additional amount for data if they are simply forwarding that data to a computer via tethering software? This constitutes charging twice for the same service.

    You can complain here: https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form2000.action?form_type=2000B

    • DrE

      But they can’t be hit with an unexpectedly high bill from data because they will just throttle your speeds after 5gig..not charge u extra

  • bagitusa1

    Does anyone know if you can use a NI phone as phone while tethering on T-M?
    People that have US Cellular tell me that their phones will not work for voice while tethering while using the $25 tethering package. It’s worthless to me if I can’t talk & use the web at the same time.

    • Jack Armstrong

      The N1 will tether just like any other Android phone. I use PDAnet while in Android. I can talk and use the web at the same time. I’m sure many others, more tech savvy than myself, can tether and not have to buy an app, but for me PDAnet does the job fine, all for the price of the app.

    • azzman

      As a N1 owner, and wifi tethering user. You can do everything with the phone while having the wifi hotspot/tethering enabled.

      nothing changes. everything works, voice, data, sms.

  • Reasoning

    Its because of the tethering that they have to charge. I am sure the bandwidth hogs are eating up all the speeds. THAT is why
    a. Theres throttling
    b. They are going to charge more for the bandwidth hogs in hopes to either:
    1. Deter them from doing so to free up the bandwidth.
    2. Cash in on you guys

    Don’t believe me? Check out what the iPhone users did to San Fran and NYC.

    Cheers!

  • http://www.technologyslice.com.au Tech

    The HTC phones do this already.

  • brett

    Trying to charge android users for tethering is like herding cats. Futile. Whatever they do, we’ll find a way around it. Custom roms FTW!

    • Frank McIntyre

      I switched from ATT to T-Mobile within the past 30 days specifically because I wanted tethering capability due to the fact that I would be doing extensive traveling and needed reliable internet access. The T-Mobile representative assured me I could do that if I signed up for an unlimited data access plan.

      After signing up I discovered I needed a third party product called PDANet, which I was told was free, to do the tethering.

      I have been on the road for almost three weeks and have experienced frustrating gaps in both phone and data service. Yesterday PDANet surprised me with a message that my “free” subscription had expired and informed me I would need to pay them $14.95 to access secured sites, which I quickly discovered included essential services such as my email account (not to mention my T-Mobile account).

      I am now reading that T-Mobile does not permit tethering (which as mentioned above was an essential consideration in switching in the first place).

      As far as I’m concerned T-Mobile has lied to me at every turn and I am looking for an alternative provider. If anyone else has had a similar experience please contact me as I plan to initiate a class action suit against T-Mobile if they fail to live up to their promises to me and any others who have experienced similar problems.

      Frank McIntyre
      frankmcintyre@fwmcintyre.net

  • blbeach

    Humm. I’ve had enough of T-Mobile at this point, been with them for over 10 years. Going to Virgin mobile. Android phone, $250. Unlimited text, Unlimited data, 300 minutes $25/a month. And yes, you can tether. With no contract. Lol.

  • Anonymous

    This is bad!

  • User827

    you pay $30 to have full featured internet on your cellphone, and too forward that internet from your cellphone too a laptop will cost you $15?   thats bullshit tmobile!  you getting greedy.

    its like saying you have a music player on your cellphone, you pay $30
    per month to have that music player and you listen to the music with the
    cellphones little speaker.  but if you decide too hook up your
    cellphone too a home stereo so you can hear that music nicely in your
    house, you have to pay $15 to do that?  i dont fucking think so. 

  • ricky

    At the beginning of the last billing cycle, I started tethering “against terms and conditions” with a 3g tmobile unlimited data plan. I used up the 5gb in less than two weeks. Before the speed reduction, I could load a 40 minute album in about 5 or 6 minutes, going around 200kbps. Since the reduction, it takes about 2 and half to 3 hours, going 3 or 4 kbps at most. All I can load at this point is really simple java and text based websites, at least until my bill cycle restarts, which is more than two weeks away. They want to make me pay 15 dollars more to do what I’m already doing for free and have to deal with the same issues if not more from the added tmobile tethering programs? HA

  • Biancalizbeth

    so whats the meaning of unlimited to t-mobile, CAP my ass! how F-ing confusing

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