A new beta version of the upcoming operating system for Apple’s iPhone shows an option in the settings for tethering on AT&T’s network. The carrier has not yet provided this service on Apple’s devices in the U.S.
Tethering allows a laptop or other devices to share a 3G connection with the iPhone through Bluetooth or USB. The fourth beta of OS 4.0 became available to developers on Tuesday, part of Apple’s regular release every few weeks of a new build. While there are other minor changes in the new beta, tethering is capturing the most attention because of the multiplier effect it could have to quickly broaden mobile connectivity.
‘Contact AT&T’
The indication of Internet tethering via AT&T is now explicit in the network settings of this beta. A screen to “Set Up Internet Tethering” instructs that “to enable tethering on this account, contact AT&T at 611 or visit http://www.att.com/mywireless.” Button choices are to call, go to web site, or cancel.
Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for consumer technology at the NPD Group, noted that the tethering option has been in the iPhone since last year, but has not been implemented by AT&T, the exclusive carrier in the U.S. AT&T has indicated it will eventually support the functionality, but hasn’t committed as to when, saying it needs to ensure it can deliver the network capacity.
Rubin said the difference between how tethering is supported in the iPhone OS beta and previously indicates that “it might be shifting from being the carrier’s prerogative to Apple saying the user can set it up.” In its earlier incarnation, he said, tethering needed a service update or other action by the carrier for the user to see the functionality.
Battery Drain
He noted that iPhone tethering has been implemented in other countries outside the U.S. AT&T currently supports tethering…