How do I include tethering in my AT&T order?

November 16, 2013 4:39 PM

In spring of 2014 I will be getting an iPhone 5S. I cannot figure out how to get a plan that includes tethering so I can generate wifi for my non-cellular iPad mini. What will I need to do to activate that during my order (I am switching from Verizon to AT&T) and how do I find out how much it will cost in addition to my unlimited talk/text plus XGB of data? I have already contacted customer support and they have given me the same unhelpful stuff that's on the AT&T website.
posted by These Birds of a Feather to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

I know that tethering is included with the 6GB/mo or better "Mobile Share" family plans, but that may not be useful if you're trying to just get service for yourself.
posted by jferg at 5:10 PM on November 16, 2013

Best answer: Last I had AT&T they were calling it a "personal hotspot" and that might be more useful for getting relevant information.
posted by Sequence at 5:18 PM on November 16, 2013

Personal Hotspot is what it's called. I was not on a family plan when I got it, and I don't think I was on the 6GB data plan then, but I don't remember anymore.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:26 PM on November 16, 2013

Best answer: As others have said, the feature is called "Personal Hotspot". I have an individual account and tethering is part of the 5GB Data Pro with Personal Hotspot plan. However, it looks like AT&T no longer offers individual accounts on its data plans. Now they're all "Mobile Share" even if you only have one device needing data so as jferg says you'll probably going to need the 6GB mobile share plan even if you have only one device.
posted by birdherder at 6:17 PM on November 16, 2013

Best answer: My impression is that they're pretty much included with new ATT and Verizon plans. The only people who don't get it are the holdovers from the old unlimited plan days.
posted by alms at 6:18 PM on November 16, 2013

alms: "My impression is that they're pretty much included with new ATT and Verizon plans. The only people who don't get it are the holdovers from the old unlimited plan days."

Based on when my husband went in to the Verizon store to ask about it, there's a high likelihood that whichever salesperson you talk to will try to persuade you it's a bad idea to do it via the iPhone and that you should pay extra for a separate hotspot doohickey and data account. (To which: hell no, Verizon, and you might want to train your salespeople not to be so pathetically transparent about their up-selling.)
posted by Lexica at 7:25 PM on November 16, 2013

Response by poster: I was finally able to get the skinny on this after checking with two different ATT stores. All new plans come with tethering/personal hotspots as part of the deal, so all I'll have to do is activate a hotspot on my iPhone when I get my new one and I'll be set from there. Thanks all!
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 7:08 PM on December 1, 2013