Thanks posters for all the useful information on the site. My question is about lap-top tethering and billing. I'm confused about plans and billing.

I only need to tether occasionally, when I'm out of town and have to access a work-related website that is not PIE compatible.

Using the internet connection sharing facility, I am able to tether my laptop.

I got the 'PDA Personal Max with 1500 Messages for $39.99 plan'. I was directed to this plan from a "view all 6 data connect plans" link on the ATT website. My 'contract' states that tethering is only covered on data connect plans. I'm not sure if my plan is, as suggested from the link, truly a 'data connect plan.

Customer service told me last night that I can do it but would be spending voice minutes for my "modem connection", which sounds wrong. Anyone know? Am I legit? If not, with limited usage, am I likely to fly under the radar?

Appreciate any info

Customer service is wrong - it uses data and no voice minutes. If you tether occasionally, and don't have huge usage, you'll be fine with PDA Connect. I went ahead and paid for the Laptop Connect plan for myself because I use ~5GB or more per month.

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Thanks for the response!

What I was told when I purchased my 8525 was the $39.99 was for internet on the phone only. Yes you can tether with this package, but if caught they can and will back charge you the $59.99 data connect fee for all previous months. I tether all the time so I just got the data connect plan of $20 more a month and will never have to worry about surprise fees or back charges.

And yes cutomer service was very wrong there is no way that tethering could use your voice minutes.

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