Wireless carriers are blocking tethering apps

(PhysOrg.com) -- If you have an Android 2.2 OS smartphone, such as the HTC Nexus One, then you have tethering as part of the base experience. Other users could make tethering an option for themselves by downloading an app, or at least they could for a while, but sadly, that era is coming to an end.

End users love the idea of being able to use their wireless network and their cell phone as a wi-fi hotspot, without the extra costs of the tethering fees that carriers like to add to the bill if you want that feature. Blocking those tethering apps allows the carriers to charge a fee that with the help of these apps, end users can avoid. Since wireless carriers do not want to cut into their profit margins, then are beginning to block these apps and deny users access to create a wi-fi hotspot for free.

The carriers that are, thus far, blocking tethering apps include Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, which in combination represent a significant amount of the wireless market. The first app to be blocked was the app Wireless Tether, which was in the Android Market. Since them, a variety of different apps with the same capability have also been blocked by the carriers.

The carriers, who might this reporter add charge users for unlimited data plans that they will not allow them to use however they see fit, are also beginning to go after the end users themselves. AT&T has begun to crack down on end users they have detected using tethering services without paying the extra fee.

On the whole, the morals of the situation seem a bit murky, and remind this reporter once again, that your cell phone carrier will do anything possible to suck every last dime out of your pocket.

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