Clarifications On Rogers/Fido iPhone Tethering

31 days left…

As many have read our article regarding the Tethering policies for Rogers and Fido, one of the most talked about points is that Rogers/Fido plan to offer Tethering access for free to accounts that have 1GB or higher data plans (using your data bucket) up until December 31, 2009…but what then?

Well, lets refresh our memories by reading the Rogers and Fido tethering policies:

Rogers Tethering Policy

Tethering is the use of your phone as a wireless modem to connect to the Internet from your computer. For a limited time, if you subscribe to a data option which includes at least 1GB of data transmission between June 8,2009 and December 31, 2009, you may use tethering as part of the volume of data included in your option at no additional charge. Tethering cannot be used with data options of less than 1GB.

Fido Tethering Policy

Tethering or wireless modem functionality is the use of your phone (such as your iPhone) as a wireless modem to connect to the internet from your computer. You can connect your phone to your computer through Bluetooth wireless technology or the USB cable provided with your phone.

To use tethering or wireless modem functionality you require the new iPhone 3GS, or an iPhone 3G that has been upgraded with the new iPhone OS 3.0 software. Until December 31, 2009, if you have subscribed to a Data add-on which includes at least 1GB of data you may use tethering as part of the volume of data included in your add-on at no additional charge. Tethering cannot be used with Data add-on of less then 1GB.

What Does This Mean?

To translate, this means that you have tethering access on your account enabled for free so long as your meet the following requirements:

  • Have Rogers/Fido cellular service
  • Have a 1GB or higher data plan (1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 6GB, etc)

The amount that users tether with their iPhone will be taken off of their 1GB or higher data plan. For example, if you have a 1GB data plan and tether 500MB worth of data, you are now left with 500MB in your data bucket for the month.

However, this free access to tethering will only be available until December 31, 2009. But what happens after that date?

Note: If you are a Rogers/Fido customer and have a 1GB or higher data plan and your tetheing is NOT currently working, to enable it, do the following on your iPhone:

  • Tap Settings
  • Tap General
  • Tap Network
  • Tap “Setup Internet Tethering”

If the option is not available, contact your wireless provider.

What Happens To My Tethering After December 31 2009?

Many readers have stated that Rogers/Fido are likely to begin to charge for tethering access and those readers are probably 100% correct (consider Rogers raising roaming rates and then conveniently releasing roaming add-ons).

Listed below is the FAQ from Rogers and Fido on what will occur to tethering after December 31 2009:

Rogers

What will happen on December 31, 2009 when the promotion expires?

  • Your tethering service will end, and you will not be able to tether until you contact us to add a new tethering plan.

Fido

What will happen on December 31, 2009 when the promotion expires?

  • Fido will continue to enable tethering on devices that allow it, but Data add-ons will be adjusted to better reflect the way customers are using tethering services.

Well there you have it. It is subtle, but both Rogers and Fido will likely be making specific “Tethering Plans” available for users. I personally like how Fido sugarcoats it, but it will still end up in a higher monthly bill.

Rogers/Fido customers can expect Tethering add-ons to range from $5 – $15 extra per month. Happy New Year’s from Rogers & Fido 🙂

Telus & Bell?

By comparison, Telus includes tethering access for free with all of their iPhone Combo Plans. This is essentially the same as what Rogers and Fido are currently doing but at this time it is unknown whether Telus will remove tethering access in January 2010.

Bell on the other hand does not advertise tethering access for any of their consumer iPhone plans. Oddly enough though, the Bell iPhone plans for business, which are identical to the consumer ones, do have tethering enabled for free. Once again, it is unknown at this time whether Bell will remove tethering access in January 2010.

4 carriers

P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.