NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Verizon Droid to allow tethering (for $15 month extra?)
Oh oh. It's another Verizon Wireless "extra $15/month" story. This one comes from Android Community, who claims that Verizon has confirmed the availability of tethering for the Verizon Android Droid phone in early 2010, via the Verizon Broadband Access Connect plan. The assumption is that this will be a $15/mo add on, with a 5GB/month limit before major overage fees kick in. After yesterday's $15/mo extra Exchange data plan confusion, feel free to take this with a grain of salt, but this is the report that's out there. Now, it's worth noting that it's already possible to tether -- via various utility apps -- with Android, at least on the G1 and MyTouch, via both WiFi and USB (the latter currently requiring root access to the phone, but works like a charm). This operates over the normal T-Mobile data plan without any extra monthly charges (nominally capped at 10GB/month before major speed throttling). T-Mobile has so far apparently not taken any drastic measures to try stop use of these tethering apps. *If* Verizon really intends to charge $15/mo extra for tethering access, and *if* these same or similar Android apps will provide tethering for the Droid without a Verizon tethering plan, Verizon may have an interesting enforcement situation on their hands. http://bit.ly/3OC7oB (Android Community) --Lauren-- NNSquad Moderator