Telstra working on iPhone tethering
Summary: Telstra has revealed it is considering plans to allow customers to tether their Apple iPhones.
Telstra has revealed it is considering plans to allow customers to tether their Apple iPhones.
While some other local carriers such as Optus and Vodafone have allowed users to access the internet using their iPhones since the 3GS launch (Optus costing $10 per month), Telstra has not allowed customers to use the feature.
However, Telstra CEO David Thodey stated on the telco's Exchange site today: "We are listening to our customers on this issue and, while I can't provide any specific dates, we are working with Apple to enable tethering on the iPhone. I will keep everyone informed about our progress".
Some on the Telstra Exchange site have their doubts about Telstra's follow-through on tethering, with commenter James stating: "I've already gone with a different provider for my latest fibre install by way of protest ... can't be working too hard — this feature has been out since June 26 or so. It will probably be time to replace my handset with an Android by the time this is fixed. I just hope the Dec 3 rumour is on the money."
Telstra's hesitation on adopting tethering has caused some frustration with customers, and it is currently unknown whether Telstra will charge its customers extra to use iPhones as a modem for their computers.
A Telstra spokesperson confirmed the comment was Thodey's and not an impersonator, but declined to comment further on the issue.
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Talkback
Howzat, Telstra CEO at the coal face where it matters most
Vasso Massonic
Shareholder and most ardent supporter of the Australian Icon, that is Telstra since its privatisation.
.
Come on Telstra - wake up and use google!
I forgot to mention:
Meanwhile those of us with non-Apple phones just do it
Working on a way to charge for, one presumes.
Practically every non-Apple phone "just works" as a tethered device, via one or more of Bluetooth PAN, Bluetooth DUN, USB DUN or USB Ethernet NIC interfaces. The carrier doesn't have to do anything special - the same GPRS or HSDPA data support used to carry data for the phone's own web browsing, email access, etc is used for tethering.
I just hope Apple's decision to do this in such a backwards manner doesn't lead carriers to think it's reasonable to charge separately for "tethered" data.
Data charges are quite bad enough without being forced to pay for two separate "data packs" with separate allowances that don't roll over month-to-month, can't be merged or shared, and are counted in min 1Mb increments measured in tiny
time periods.
Once again, thanks for nothing Apple.
Your right, to an extent
With the federal govt. Moving in, you as an shareholder should be telling telstra to start making it's mobile plans a tad bit more attractive and for it to start focusing in this area before it misses out and try and get some of it's customers back from the likes of 3 and optus that have better data plans..
Ps $50 per month on top of the plan amount for 1gb is a joke..
Again, Telstra "wake da f%#k up" already..
You will be loosing one more customer unless you start changing you data plans.
Sincerly Telstra customer for 16+ yearS of fixed or mobile
Jacky.
I must have committed a cardinal sin
But what the hell, I must thank those that deserve my thanks. It's a weird world we live in.
Dear Senator Bob Brown,
It is quite obvious that your support and amendments for a fair regulatory treatment of Telstra, along with the other independent Senators, had the desired effect of, possibly, shelving Conroy's legislation pending the finalising of the current negotiations in the right atmosphere and spirit.
I am also delighted that our Senate resisted the pressure to rubber stamp important legislation for no apparent or justifiable reasons. Our Senate is an essential house of review and not a production line at the whim of the powers that be..
I now intend to close the book on this chapter and cease the E-mail barrage, secure in the knowledge you will continue to do the right thing by millions of Employees, Consumers and Investors who help keep our telecommunications industry in the forefront of technological advancements.
Enjoy the Festive Season. Your support staff have been wonderful, kindly pass my deepest appreciation to them.
Kind Regards
Vasso Masonic & Family.
wot
What..
And what? Telstra has 'banned' one of its crazy TLS loonies that really are just leaving foul tastes in everybodys mouth the apparent greed of some TLS shareholders? Gee wonder why? you really dont seem to help telstra much.
That's for me to know and you to find out
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/telstras-dismemberment-may-be-put-on-hold/story-e6frg8zx-1225801836376
Telstra Exchange
Renai
News Editor
ZDNet.com.au
No idea, but the fist post above (Howzat....}
Not to worry
Um..
Firstly.. Do a 'Ctrl-F' and paste the bit in that even mentions his name? Thats right, there is not even one mention of his name.
Your letter seems to stipulate that it 'will' be posponed to sittings in Feb. However, if you read the article, it does not say this at all. The article is littered with *if's*
From reading it, it sounds like the one you should be really trying to convice would be Fielding. All the others seem to be on board (albiet some admendments).
Also to quote that article
"Whichever way the Senate leans, at least for Senator Conroy, both outcomes have the potential to be a blessing. On one hand, convincing the Senate to approve his Competition and Consumer Safeguards bill will show the sector that the government really does have telecoms competition and value for consumers at heart. It will also give the government the power to see Telstra's business cleaved in two in the event negotiations with the telco break down.
On the other hand, failure to pass the bill before the week's end will give the government more time to negotiate with Telstra and come to a mutually acceptable deal on the possible sale of some of the telco's assets.
"
You really do need to take off those rose coloured glasses there Vasso. Seriously, it is no wonder when Telstra took down your letter due to it being 'grossly' incorrect.
Wake up and smell the truth Vasso.
This Apple stinks really really bad.
Not only does tethering not "just work" like every other phone, there is no task management with audible reminders built in to its calendar. this means you cannot sync tasks with outlook because there is nothng to sync to.
What a joke!
Even my 2 year old Nokia 6120C could do that
free Tethering
Renai, Posts now restored
Telstra's wonderful prices
Now tell me again why the F*&K ANYONE would chose telstra for their mobile broadband service? Hell, why would anyone choose Telstra for ANY service??
Some other explanation surely.
I refuse to believe that those in authority at Telstra Exchange would be conned by the duplicitous campaign of Telstra opponents to vilify Telstra supporters.
Dear oh dear...
Get behind David Thodey and stop undermining him, with your continued Sol negativity, as you are continuing to turn people "against Telstra - THAT'S THE MESSAGE COMING THROUGH LOUD AND CLEAR.
Sol tried and failed blaming the big bad ACCC, the whole world is against poor Telstra and the rest of the cr*p you guys regurgitate endlessly.
By closing NWAT, Mr. Thodey was distancing himself from such an idiotic approach, only to have you guys, resurrect it over and over, each day and call those who disagreed - disparagers, morons and whatever else. Oh, look you're doing it again, lol...
Gee that's a good way to make friends and influence people!
Maybe Vasso's little excitement was a wake up call to pull your heads in.
Coverage and network load
I'll give Telstra one thing - their coverage is good, and their prices do keep usage down so the network is fast and responsive. My phone (an E71 admittedly, so not comparing apples to Apples) on Telstra is notably more so than my girlfriend's phone (an iPhone) on Optus.
You sure do pay for the privelege though, and Optus's coverage seems to be close to on par so it's mostly an edge in network performance.
Why do I have a Telstra phone? Because work's paying, and they pay my data bill too. Otherwise there's no frickin' way I'd use it.
If they try to charge me separately for using HSDPA depending on whether the bytes stop in the phone or are further relayed from the phone to my laptop via USB or Bluetooth, I'll be outta there in an instant.
Man cannot be too careful in his choice of enemies.
Firstly, let me tell you that at no time have I had doubts as to the ability or resolve of Mr Thodey to maintain and promote the interests of Telstra.
You do me an honour to infer that my humble effort to counter your shameful disparagement of Telstra could be noticed by Mr Thodey.
Your silly illogical scheme to label Telstra supporters as the enemy of Telstra borders on lunacy and for you to not understand this reflects poorly on your reasoning.