Tethering is a process which establishes a connection between a cell phone/other mobile device and a computer. In this guide we teach you how to tether your iPhone. The connection is created by either using a physical cable to tether the cell phone to the computer, or by some other type of wireless connection. With either method, the objective of tethering is to permit the iPhone in use to access the Internet via the connection to the computer.

As stated previously, cables can be used to establish a connection. A USB cable normally creates a secure connection, which enables the iPhone to take advantage of computer’s speed. Another option is to use a serial cable. Cable based tethering’s main drawback is the restrictions brought on the distance between the iPhone and the computer.

A preferable connection method has to be wireless technology. As this removes the distance issue of cables. Infrared wireless technology enables a strong and secure connection, which improves distances but may still create an issue of the wireless range. Bluetooth wireless technology is often an even better method of establishing connectivity, although range tends to be shorter than wireless networks.

In this guide we provide 3 steps, these are detailed below.

• Step 1: What is tethering an iPhone? – A full description of what tethering an iPhone means
• Step 2: AT&T exclusivity contract in the USA - An explanation of the exclusive contract between AT&T and Apple in the USA and why this has caused many users to tether
• Step 3: Tethering approaches – A number of different approaches to tethering are listed

Apple has created an Internet tethering capability for the iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S as from iPhone firmware 3.0. Tethering enables iPhone users to extend the iPhone into a wireless modem which connects a computer to the Internet.

Often for commercial reasons, Internet tethering is blocked or disabled. This is because the majority of mobile/cell networks wish to charge extra for Internet tethering. This is inspite of the fact that users plans tend to allow various amounts (including unlimited sometimes) of bandwidth.

Once you have Internet tethering enabled on your iPhone, you can surf the web from your computer via the iPhone. You can do this without the need for a WiFi spot. The 3G connection on the iPhone works with Mac and IBM type technologies alike. With a tethered iPhone, you can send and receive data (e-mails, documents, etc) as well as make phone calls.

The USB cable received with your iPhone can be used to enable Internet tethering, whilst also recharging your iPhone simultaneously. To do this, simply connect the iPhone to your computer via the USB port and also select the iPhone USB network service to be your network connection. Wireless tethering to your computer is straightforward. Simply connect your iPhone using Bluetooth wireless technology and you are then cable free. You need to connect your iPhone to your computer and select the iPhone Bluetooth PAN option to be used as your network connection.

The iPhone exclusivity contract has been very good for AT&T. This contract for example helped AT&T attract over 4.3 million subscribers in late 2008, of which 40% were new customers. http://dvice.com/archives/2009/04/atts-iphone-con.php

When Apple released iPhone OS 3.0, one of the more compelling features was internet tethering. Ever since 3.0, the iPhone has been able to provide 3G internet to your computer via USB or wireless technology. Tethering is still not a standard offering in the USA though because of AT&T. Even though tethering is likely to carry a monthly fee, it is suspected that AT&T’s network isn’t ready for potentially millions, of tethered iPhones.

Apple want to move away from exclusivity, the AT&T contract expires in June 2010. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/09/10/apple_predicted_to_extend_exclusive_contract_with_att.html T-Mobile would achieve this for Apple in the US. http://www.thestreet.com/story/10634548/apple-iphone-may-go-to-t-mobile-next.html

Terms of the AT&T/Apple deal taken directly from the AT&T website are:

1. "Qualified customers only. Two-year contract required.’’”
2. "iPhone is configured to work only with the wireless services provided by AT&T.’’”
3. "Rollover Minutes: Unused Anytime Mins expire after the 12th billing period. Night & Weekend & Mobile to Mobile minutes do not roll over.’’”

As a workaround iPhone users have used hacks and re-configuration programs to workaround the iPhone firmware blocks. These whilst against the terms of service have offered a significant improvement in the user experience. Several methods of tethering an iPhone are detailed in step 3.

In this section we detail approaches to tethering your iPhone. Different options are provided depending on the operating system you have.

iPhone 3.0 Tethering

1. Download the following link http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KIJIQ410 direct from your iPhone and follow the installation instructions
2. follow the path Settings to General to Network
3. Switch on “internet tethering”
4. Switch on “iTunes”
5. Plug your iPhone to your laptop
6. Tethering should be enabled

iPhone 3.1 Tethering

1. Proceed to to the following website using Safari on your iPhone > help.benm.at/help.php
2. Scroll down to the option "Tethering and Internet Settings," then click the download button. This is next to "Mobileconfigs". (Before you do this, select your country.)
3. Next proceed to the Network Settings menu on your iPhone (Settings/General/Network). Switch on “internet tethering”
4. Once your phone is tethered, you need to set it up as a Network Interface.
5. Once enabled, your iPhone will register an Internet connection every time it's near (or plugged into) your computer, so you don't have to go through the pairing process each time. Instead, each time you connect to your phone, “A new network interface has been detected”.

iPhone 3.1.2 Tethering If you have upgraded from a previous version of iPhone firmware there is a string chance that iPhone 3.1.2 firmware will have blocked your previous tethering configuration.

MyWi 3.1.8, enables tethering on all iPhones (including 2G/3G/3GS) which use 3.1.2 firmware.

The installation instructions are:

1. First of all go to the Cydia iPhone application http://www.appleiphoneschool.com/what-is-cydia/. Search for the “MyWi” application and install it. When you install MyWi, you will also install “RockApp”. You will need to install RockApp manually, if for some reason the automatic installation fails.
2. Open the RockApp, create a Rock ID for yourself (this is free).
3. Sign in using your ID into RockApp and you will see an update to MyWi.
4. Now restart your iPhone, provided the update has been successfully installed.
5. Now Start the MyWi app and switch on the option for USB/Bluetooth tethering.
6. Navigate to Settings/General/Network->Internet.
7. Enable tethering on your iPhone, switch on the toggle for Internet Tethering.
8. You should now have tethered your iPhone