Tethering: Turn your mobile into a WiFi hotspot

[Captain...]

So what is Tethering:

Tethering is basically using a 3G device to provide internet capability to a non 3G device. So you can access the internet through your laptop/kindle/tablet through your smart phone.

I had heard of tethering before but had no need of it, but I recently bought an Android tablet, non 3G version but wifi enabled, and got home and the internet was knackered, not happy, so I thought I would check out how to set it up, there are a few ways, you can do it with a USB cable or dowload some special apps, but the simplest way with any Android Phone with OS 2.2 or above is to go into settings, wireless and networks, Tethering and portable hotspots.

select portable wi-fi hotspot and configure the name and password, switch it on and it will become a wifi hotspot, you can then connect to that with your laptop, tablet etc so you can surf on the move from anywhere.

Pretty neat trick, perfectly legal, 2 considerations battery life and data, will drain battery quicker so always switch it off when not using it, will use up your data faster, unless you have an unlimited data plan, in which case you get unlimited internet for free (abusing it by downloading lots of stuff may get your account suspended).

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/mobile-phone/3279408/how-to-tether-a-google-android-phone/

A rather long winded article telling you the same thing, but with pretty pictures to make it easier to understand

http://blog.o2.co.uk/home/2011/09/o2-tethering-how-to-set-up-your-iphone.html for the iphone

anyway I thought I would share for anyone looking at buying a tablet, especially an ipad it makes the extra £100 for 3G a little redundant.

[MooseBreath]

I remember first seeing people do this in about 2007 and it was horribly, devastatingly slow back then. How much has the mobile network improved since then? And is it worth it when you can almost always find WiFi and in the situations where you can't you just use your phone anyway.

[MrSpaM]

You'll get decent speeds nowdays, i've even had a mate that got his xbox working online over it. Only problem is data costs, you'd be surprised how much data a laptop downloads as opposed to your phone. Really wouldnt take long to go over your monthly limit, and once you do you get your pants pulled down with extra charges. watching your typical ten minute video on youtube could end up costing you about £100.

Unlimited data plans never mean unlimited.

[Captain...]

I remember first seeing people do this in about 2007 and it was horribly, devastatingly slow back then. How much has the mobile network improved since then? And is it worth it when you can almost always find WiFi and in the situations where you can't you just use your phone anyway.

Works very well, obviously there are times when your phone just can't do what a laptop or tablet can, so it means you can take your laptop away with you and connect to the internet wherever you have a phone signal.

I could watch youtube videos and bbc iplayer like that with no delay.

You'll get decent speeds nowdays, i've even had a mate that got his xbox working online over it. Only problem is data costs, you'd be surprised how much data a laptop downloads as opposed to your phone. Really wouldnt take long to go over your monthly limit, and once you do you get your pants pulled down with extra charges. watching your typical ten minute video on youtube could end up costing you about £100.

Unlimited data plans never mean unlimited.

Get with giff gaff, unlimited data £10 a month no contract, so no pants pulling down.

But yeah laptops could be killer on data if you have a limited plan, the best use would be with your tablet, much easier on the data, and easy to carry around.

[skinnydipper]

I remember first seeing people do this in about 2007 and it was horribly, devastatingly slow back then. How much has the mobile network improved since then? And is it worth it when you can almost always find WiFi and in the situations where you can't you just use your phone anyway.

If you want wi-fi just find a Starbucks, order your latte, get out your I-pad and away you go.

[MrSpaM]

Get with giff gaff, unlimited data £10 a month no contract, so no pants pulling down.

But yeah laptops could be killer on data if you have a limited plan, the best use would be with your tablet, much easier on the data, and easy to carry around.

Yeh i was talking more from a contract point of view, a friend of mine claimed to have unlimited internet on his phone, only to find on his first bill that unlimited meant 1GB, and he'd used about 3GB. The bill for that wasnt pretty at all. It's just a bit of a warning for anybody trying it really, if your planning on using it as opposed to getting real broadband, the costs can get ridiculous if your not careful. It's a great way to get the internet on the move though.

[Uncle Phil]

I use tethering as my flat doesn't have a broadband connection.

I actually have unlimited data and the speeds are great. I can watch Iplayer etc just fine.

[Rincewind]

I have a 3 mobile dongle £5.29 a month. I don't use now because of no work and Wi-fispots vrywhere. I was going to cancel it but the price was reduced and I think it is only a monthly contract. If I start work I may be using it again. May not be able to connect to free WiFi. Depends if I am able to take my laptop work.