Hotspot Option Creates Choices, MiFi or iPhone?

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gigaom.com/mobile/goodbye-mifi-hello-smartphone-mobile-hotspot/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+jkOnTheRun+(GigaOM:+Mobile)' target='_blank'>http://gigaom.com/mobile/goodbye-mi...GigaOM:+Mobile)</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Wednesday's anticipated Verizon iPhone launch event offered one surprise: users can share the 3G data connection with five devices, turning the iPhone into a mobile hotspot."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1294944376.usr105634.jpg" /></p><p>And so the dilemma is to keep the MiFi Mobile Hotspot or go ahead and make the jump to the iPhone 4. I too, am going through the process, trying to determine if I should keep my Verizon MiFi. On one hand, it would be handy to have another iPhone just in case something happened to my current iPhone on AT&amp;T, allowing me to still have communication capabilities, something I cannot do with my MiFi. And I wouldn't have to carry more than one charger like I do now. And the issue about not being able to use voice and data simultaneously would be moot since this isn't going to be a primary phone. What are your thoughts?</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

I think it is likely worth waiting until the plans are announced. With a Verizon phone, you are certainly going to get a Verizon voice plan of some sort. Cheapest is about $30 isn't it? The data will be on top of that. Typically carriers have charged a premium for their 'tethering' plans, over the plan 'data' plan. For those devices that support it on AT&T you can get a $25-$30 data plan, but tethering with that same device will cost you $60. So you get voice and data for around $60 or voice data and tethering for about $90. This isn't unlimited anything BTW, and we haven't added any txt yet. So don't forget to figure the likely plan increase into your MiFi vs iPhone decision.

[Dyvim]

For those devices that support it on AT&T you can get a $25-$30 data plan, but tethering with that same device will cost you $60.
I believe current AT&T smartphone tethering option is $20 extra on top of $25 for 2GB data plan- i.e. $45. Unfortunately, you don't get any additional data for your $20. I would love to be able to tether on AT&T, but I'm not willing to give up my $30 unlimited plan (tethering is not available for it).

[Sven Johannsen]

Looks like you are right. They list $45 for Blackberry and Smartphone data with Tethering. They do limit the devices that is available on though. I know it used to be $60 with tethering back when it was $30 and 5G. Guess they dropped their prices to look competative and their product to make more money per MB. Point was really to look at the plan prices before making that decision to drop a MiFi for an iPhone. Until it is out, I'm not even betting on the Tethering to be there.

I'l make my soapbox short, but I am still incensed they charge for tethering at all. I buy 2G (or 5G, whatever) and it should be up to me what I do with it. Makes no difference to the network if the bits from the network to the tower, to my phone, go another foot to my laptop or iPad, or DS. It doesn't cost you more at KFC for a bucket of chicken if you plan to share it. Yes this logic breaks down if it is an all you can eat plan, but there are precious few of those left.