So I've been tethering my iPhone to my new Macbook Pro 13" since I purchased the laptop. I figured now was a good time to write about it. I've been doing it for a few weeks now. Here are my findings.
Background info:
Equipment:
iPhone 3G,
Optus, 500MB data included a month.
Macbook Pro 13" 2.53Ghz.
Used: mainly on the train to and from work in Perth CBD at speeds up to 130kph
The iPhone 3.0 OS allows tethering, some mobile carriers allow tethering out of the box, others do not. Optus for example do not allow tethering, however
there are ways around this without even 'hacking' your phone. (You basically need to change the APN on the phone using a mobileconfig file.) Some web sites make this really easy for you. Be warned that this technique may be shit-canned in OS 3.1. A Shame because Optus charge $9.95 a month to "activate" tethering.
When your tethering is turned on, you can connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac by Bluetooth or USB cable. The iPhone acts as a network interface over USB, and a Bluetooth PAN (personal area network) when you have BT turned on. Once connected, the iPhone and computer will use private IP addresses to route via NAT your internet over your iPhone's 3G. When in use, you will be using the data included in your iPhone plan/contract with your mobile carrier. Optus in this case. 500MB.
First impressions:
Easy to set up, dead easy. If your on a PC, you need iTunes installed, I assume because it also includes the network interface drivers required to talk to the iPhone. Possibly only the case when using USB. Bluetooth should just work, iTunes or not.
On going use and issues:
I've found that sometimes, my connection seems very slow. Like 0.10Mb/s downstream. After a while I discovered that switching my iPhone to 'airplane mode' and back again would somehow 'reset' my 3G and give me back my speed. (normally averaging 1.5Mb/s down, 0.15/Mb/s up) This is annoying. I've now made it common practice to 'airplane mode' my iPhone before I even attempt to tether to my Mac.
Tethering by USB always seems to provide a faster connection with better throughput than when using Bluetooth. This is without a doubt a Bluetooth speed limitation. Pros and Cons are as follows... If you use USB, you get to charge your iPhone while you tether. The Con for this is that it's sucking down your Macbook battery and you have a bloody iPhone dangling out of your USB port. Using Bluetooth means the iPhone stays discretely in your shirt/jacket pocket while you commute, and your not draining your Macbook battery. (although you are draining your iPhone battery and not charging your iPhone). I personally find myself primarily using Bluetooth, it's just easier when on the go and the speed is sufficient for what I'm doing.
On the train, interesting, flakey. I can't seem to maintain a good connection on my train ride. It's all in good coverage, nice bars on my iPhone, all metro. However at speed, this thing drops in and out like a yoyo. Is it because I'm hopping from base station to base station? Is it struggling at these high speeds? The link seems more stable the slower the train is going. It sometimes drops out when the train is sitting in a station too (large metal structures, who knows?)
Conclusion:
I wouldn't say the Optus wireless service is mind blowing. I can generally get tasks done during my short train ride, which is good. Although sometimes (especially when working on remote hosts by SSH) I find getting tasks done a little difficult.
If I absolutely relied on a wireless broadband service, I'd be ponying up for Telstra NextG in a second. The quality of the Telstra service is pretty tip top compared to others. You get what you pay for.
Yesterday I phoned Optus to 'unlock' my iPhone so I can throw other SIM cards in it if I desire. Maybe I could get a Telstra SIM and see how that goes. In any case, if your swapping SIM cards in and out of your iPhone, you'll need the little metal tool to eject the SIM tray. You'll also need custom 'mobileconfig' profiles on your iPhone so you can easily change the APN and other details as required to get access to those carriers data networks. There are a few ways you can do this. The easiest I can think of is to email yourself the mobileconfig files and load them all up, selecting them in your 'settings' as you need them.
