Tethering

Tethering ( [ teðəɹɪŋ ], from English, of to tether, leash in German, link ) refers to the connection of a smartphone with a PC or PDA to enable this an internet connection via GSM / UMTS. The mobile telephone so that assumes the role of a modem. This function is called on to Windows Mobile as an Internet Sharing.

Type of connection

The two devices can be wirelessly connected to a cable or:

  • Serial cable
  • USB cable
  • IrDA (infrared wireless)
  • Bluetooth wireless technology

Also Wi-Fi is often mentioned in this context, but in this case the mobile phone via software is a hotspot. In this case, an ad -hoc network is built with the help of programs from some devices; there is at most one encryption with WEP specified ( according to the IEEE 802.11 standard). In contrast, such as the WebOS program Mobile Hotspot ( for the device Palm Pre), the operating system Android version 2.2 or higher or Windows Phone temporarily erected in software version 7.5 or a full-fledged hotspot with encryption WPA2 standard, so that multiple computers with can connect the phone.

Contractual and technical limitations

The use of the mobile phone as a connection for a computer to the Internet is in principle possible with any GSM or UMTS tariff with a mobile provider. However, it leads to considerably more volume of data transmitted and thus impact on the utilization of the facilities of the mobile service provider and on his economic situation. The tethering is therefore sometimes restricted by the mobile operator contractually or technically. Thus, the contracts of some mobile operators contain provisions requiring the tethering is only allowed restricted or prohibited.

  • In German pre-paid providers such as Fonic, blau.de, Simyo or Aldi Talk to connect a laptop or notebook computer is easily possible, however, explicitly excluded in BILDmobil.
  • Offered by the Internet O2 tariffs M and M , the use is prohibited in conjunction with a laptop since June 1, 2010 for new customers. This applies to the use of the SIM card in a data card and for the use of tethering. In the valid since January 17, 2012 " Blue" tariffs tethering is allowed.
  • In Switzerland, tethering is in conjunction with the iPhone since July 2009, when Swisscom possible at Sunrise but prohibited for residential customers by the Terms and Conditions.

Technically, tethering is in some mobile devices is limited or rendered impossible by their firmware or other software. Offer a remedy then may process called rooting ( Android OS) or Jailbreak (Apple iOS ). This allows the operation of the device at risk and there can be problems related to the warranty, if thereby resulting problems arise.

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