The carriers are doing the only thing they can do when it comes to controlling its customers. No matter what they say it is EXTREMELY easy to root and tether any android device. So if they know they cannot stop you from doing it then charge everyone as if they are doing it, even if they are not.

Sadly this could really REALLY hit android harder than others as all anyone will hear right now is that Android means a higher cellphone bill b/c its android. Of course it is not that it is b/c of android but that is what people will see when it is only android devices getting charged that.

I know that I am personally dreading the whole Verizon Data Tier plan as I use a LOT of data. I use my phone as my GPS, Radio, Laptop, Home wireless, and more. Hopefully some of this new trend is stopped as we are going to see more and more people move away from “smart” phones especially in this economy if it means the bill goes up another $20 and you have to really watch how much data you consume.

I use my Droid for absolutely everything but if my bill were to increase $20 a month I would definitely get rid of it and get a simple text and talk phone and that is it. Eventually supply and demand must equalize and hopefully that will happen with all the crap going on now b/c they are giving a supply that will not have nearly as big a demand as it does now with the extra charges.

Root and you can use wireless tether on your G1 to do that now. Of course then you lose the excuse to buy the N1

Do you really think you’re going to get a consistent 6Mbps download? Ain’t gonna happen.

my desire on 2.1 allows tethering with out a 3rd party app. just plug in usb and select share internet from the 4 option that pop up.

I’ve been tethering with Wired Tether for Root Users because my cable internet from Time Warner craps out occasionally. Works great. I don’t think carriers should charge more for tethering as long as the data cap stay the same, because then they won’t be using more data than the would otherwise.

Over the last decade I’ve seen my cell phone bill continue to go up and up. I’ve always paid it and always paid it on time. I’m not going to start paying for features that come native in a handset though.

I won’t abuse teethering and use it all the time. But I’m on the road or on vacation and need internet access for my laptop, you better believe I’m going to teether.

I agree. Maybe they should have different price plans depending on how much you use it. $29.99 for unlimited tetthering. But maybe like $5 a month for people who use it much less.

the sad part is that they are going to charge you anyways.

Just look at the iPhone — consider how much AT&T depends on Apple for its smartphone sales growth, and consider how iPhone “should” have native tethering long times ago, but AT&T still hasn’t allowed it to happen. This is clearly not something the carriers want to offer for free.

I really don’t get why american providers don’t allow tethering. It’s the same data usage as the phone’s internet … why in the hell is that such a big problem…