Windows Phone 7 to support USB tethering?

September 15, 2010 | By Surur

Will Windows phone 7 support USB tethering?

For many business users hoping to move from Windows Mobile to Windows Phone 7, being able to tether their phone is one of the non-negotiable.

Now there appears to be some hope, with Richard Dudley, a developer and ComponentOne Evangelist claiming to have had official word that Windows Phone 7 will in fact support USB tethering, and that this will not cost anything beyond the basic data plan.

Richard had just been attending a FireStarter event hosted by Microsoft, which is presumably where the information originates.

Tethering has been rumoured before for Windows Phone 7, with Australian carrier Telstra specifically saying it was a feature they desired in the new OS.

See the tweet here.

Thanks Mobile Paddy for the tip.

About Surur

Site Admin and Windows Phone enthusiast, he has been using Windows Mobile devices since before they were called PocketPC’s. He is currently sporting a HTC 7 Trophy.

Tagged rumour, tethering, windows phone 7

David

I find it hard to believe, I don't think WP7 has that kind of control over the Carriers YET. Specially the likes of Verizon and Sprint now with 4G.

But if this turns out to be that would be Awesome.

gullygod

I agree. Carriers will NEVER agree to this. This would be taking money out their greedy hands.

OOOO

even if they do, it will be too easy to blow through 2 GB of data on a comp.

question

what does usb tethering mean in this context?
does it mean sharing your mobile internet connection with lets say your laptop or does it mean something like usb host (which would be a lot more interesting to me since there will be any type of "app" soon or later to share connection via wifi..)

http://WMPoweruser.com Surur

Sharing your internet connection.

slayr007

idk. But it would be nice
Guest

I really need Bluetooth tethering since I use it on the go. Having to string a wire is a PITA and I have to be still in order to pull it off.
Neil

I use tethering currently with my Iphone, I have a 2.5 gig data plan with Optus and never go over each month. It works very well with my Studio Laptop, fast enough and very portable. I love the new Windows Phone 7, however would only change over if tethering is available…. otherwise I am going backwards…
chinch

Seems like a pipe-dream but I can see carriers accepting terms then using this as a way to eliminate "unlimited data".
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1129472245 Max Magana

This makes me happy.
Hopefully Wi-Fi tethering is in the works as well. That is a great feature.
Yevin

Why didn't Microsoft include Wi-Fi or Bluetooth tethering in Windows Phone 7?

I can do this now with an old Windows Mobile phone. Did Microsoft decide that Windows Phone 7 user would prefer to be without these features?
Paul

He's already pulled the tweet saying it wasn't true.