[Sven Johannsen]

Not sure I actually get their assertions/reluctance. My wife has an AT&T data card for her laptop. The little USB goober has a SIM and a phone number. I would propose it uses the self same network and technology that any of my data capable phones, both iPhone and WinMo, use. It just doesn't make voice calls. It's plan just costs as much as an iPhone's with the voice. So do they really think that providing iPhone users with the ability to tether (which I already 'can' do with my WinMo phone) is going to so dramatically increase the number of folks actually doing it, it will be a disaster? They could just up the fee if you elect to tether. That would deter the adoption and still allow them to claim the capability.

I really don't get it. I have internet access on my phones because they are convenient to use, pretty much instant on and off, and realatively quick since I gravitate to the mobile versions of sites. largely due to resolution and screen real estate. Getting out the laptop is cumbersome and awkward unless I am sitting somewhere. Then getting it fired up and connected to the net via a tethered phone, wired or BT, is prone to challenges. Beyond that with a laptop I will tend towards the full deal sites, slowing down the experience because they are built assuming broadband connections. Much easier to sit somewhere that has free WiFi if I am going to spend any substantial time on the Web.