T-Mobile is expected to introduce the cheapest tethering option yet in the U.S. with a $14.99 a month plan on November 3, according to the mobile site Boy Genius Report. The carrier will require customers to be subscribed to a 3G or HSPA+ service using its $19.99-per-month unlimited data plan to receive tethering — a feature which allows subscribers to use their phones as wireless hotspots.
At $14.99, T-Mobile’s tethering option is cheaper than Verizon’s $20 monthly charge for tethering on Android devices like the Droid X, AT&T’s $20 charge for the iPhone, and it’s $10 cheaper than Sprint’s $25 monthly fee for tethering on the Evo 4G.
T-Mobile also offers more data than its competitors. Its tethered devices take advantage of a 5GB pool — in comparison, AT&T includes tethered data under subscribers’ normal 2GB pool on its DataPro plan, and Verizon grants users 2GB specifically for tethering.
Dealers will begin selling the Tetherng/Wi-Fi add-on feature beginning November 3.
In other news, T-Mobile USA will offer the Galaxy Tab for $399.99 on a two-year data contract with a $35 activation fee and a $200 early termination charge. It will be available November 10, 2010.
Kevin Tofel has a review of the expected broadband data options for all four major cellular carriers in the United States.
