Rumor: Possible Details Of AT&T iPhone Tethering Plan

Last week AT&T confirmed a new "official" tethering plan for the iPhone. Citing sources that work within AT&T MacBlogz has posted a few details of what that plan is expected to look like.

• 5GB Data Cap (just like Blackberry users) - AT&T will automatically turn off your tethering connection if you use too much bandwidth. Of note, the 5GB cap might get sliced for all users, not just iPhone users, in order to accommodate all new tethering plan customers (bandwidth demand).
• Initial connection through iTunes? (not sure if this is every time you connect, or just for initial setup)
• Expected speeds: GPRS: 30k - dialup speeds / EDGE: 110k - ISDN speeds / 3G: 1000k - slow broadband.
• You’ll want to disable auto-updates for everything, so as to not go over usage limitations.
• Will be +$30/month, new iPhone plans may be rolled out with tethering rolled in.
• Do not pro-rate tethering/bandwidth, it can become a nightmare, instead wait until new billing cycle.
• For unlimited bandwidth, AT&T will tell you to get a wireless PC card.
• No idea on a launch date.

Now keep in mind that none of this has any release dates associated with it whatsoever, nor has any of it actually been confirmed. AT&T is notorious for keeping a tight lid on things as well as making last min. changes. But the plan does sound inline with other offerings from AT&T. This plan would be identical to that which AT&T already offers to Blackberry users.

At an additional $30/mo the plan does seem a little steep to me. Looking at it this way; if you’re already paying $80 per month for your iPhone 3G, you’ll be paying at least $110 if you want a tethering plan. So its possible (unlikely but possible) that AT&T may release new iPhone 3G plans with tethering built into your monthly bill (emphasis on may).