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View Full Version : AT&T Restricting Hotspot to Three Devices? Or Are They...


Jeff Campbell
03-07-2011, 01:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/atandt-mobile-hotspot-for-iphone-4-limited-to-just-three-wifi-devi/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/...hree-wifi-devi/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Say it ain't so! According to this here slide, which details a bit of insidery AT&amp;T information about the impending release of iOS 4.3, Ma Bell's iPhone 4 will have its Personal Hotspot restricted to use with just three devices."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1299451819.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>I don't know that it is that big of a deal, I normally would only have one or two devices sharing my hotspot anyway. And it turns out based on documentation with iOS 4.3 it's actually the software that limits you to 3 devices and not AT&amp;T. If you want to have 5 devices, you have to use Bluetooth or USB to add the other two. This was found on the <a href="http://www.apple.com/ios/" target="_blank">Apple site</a> about iOS 4.3:&nbsp;<em>"You can share your connection with up to five devices at once over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB - with up to three of those connections using Wi-Fi."</em></p>

Sven Johannsen
03-07-2011, 08:55 PM
I suppose they will continue to maintain that the bits that pass through your phone to your laptop, iPad, Zune, etc. are somehow more valuable like Kopi Luwak*, and deserve the premium pricing assigned to 'tethering'. Still don't get why my 2G should cost more depending on whether it stops at my iPhone, or passes on via Wifi, BT, USB. My bucket of chicken at KFC costs the same whether I eat it myself or share it. If I run out of chicken, that's my problem, and KFC can charge me for more, just as AT&T can.

*Kopi Luwak - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak