Q: tethering internet connection

Absolutely it is possible. Call AT&T and subscribe to a tethering plan.

Yes. You can not get a tethering plan if you have unlimited data.

I believe, however, that Sprint is still making unlimited data available together with tethering. You could switch.

This is totally lame.

I cannot compreend -- it's beyond me -- why Apple allows the carrier to control the configuration of my iPhone.

I bought my iPhone unlocked and unsubsided. It's my piece of kit but AT&T can configure it to their hearts content.

Why does Apple allow AT&T to lock the user out of the phone settings. How can that be?

The carrier offers a service and the customer pays for it. Currently, I have a GoPhone plan and I pay for it. Can I use MMS on my phone? No, I cannot. Why? Because Apple decided to give AT&T the option to lock me out of the configuration of the phone.

The phone is FCC certified. AT&T has been selling it from the first day but then comes Apple and decides that the carrier can control what Apple's customers do with their devices.

This is trully a great user experience.

The carriers have no control over the configuration of your phone. They have control over the services available to you based on what you pay for. If you don't like it, write your congressman.

It never ceases to amaze me how sheeply some will get in line.

I have an AT&T GoPhone service butI can use MMS with a particular non-Apple branded phone. It works fine. It's a feature supported by the carrier.

I cannot do this with my iPhone beause I cannot access the settings to modify the phone's configuration.

Is that difficult to follow? Again: Apple allows AT&T (and other carriers) to control the configuration of the phone, locking the customer out in the process. This is unnaceptable.

Why should Congress care? This is not a political issue. It's companies not caring for their customers.

I can vote with my wallet.

You can NOT use GoPhone service on an iPhone. This is AT&Ts rule, not Apple's. Is that difficult for you to comprehend?

Here's a dollar.. go buy a clue.

Of course I can use the iPhone on a GoPhone plan. Smartphones have been offcially supported on AT&T's GoPhone for a while now.

Smart phones have. iPhones, specifically are excluded. If AT&T detects that you are using an iPhone on a pre-paid plan, they will terminate the account.

You're funny but in a sad sort of way. You have no idea what you are talking about.

AT&T does not terminate GoPhone accounts if using the iPhone.

They do indeed detect the iPhone and prevent the device from accessing the Internet until a data plan has been purchased.

Actually, they do.

http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB110787&cv=820&br=BR&ct=7700006&pv= 3&title=Can+I+use+iPhone+4+or+iPhone+3GS+on+my+prepaid+service+account%3F#fbid=T xgStrkrUo4

AT&T does not "approve of" the use of an iPhone with a GoPhone account but does not go as far as to cancel the accounts.

But that's not the point.

The issue is Apple's disregard of their own customers. Apple, not AT&T. To complain about AT&T, I go elsewhere.

By design, the carrier can control how the user configures the iPhone. In other words, Apple allows the carrier to lock out some user settings. Examples: personal hotspot, network settings (APN, MMSC, APN tethering).

The carrier can do whatever they want to their service options and network but why should they be allowed to mess with my phone? Why am I locked out of some settings on some carriers? Why carriers have the option at all?

The answer is always the same: because Apple wants that way.

Let's use an analogy.

Imagine that you connect your Mac to a cable modem and the ISP prevents you from configuring your web browser to use a proxy. You can connect a non-Apple branded laptop to configure the browser as you see fit.

Imagine the same ISP not allowing you to connect a wireless router unless you pay them $20.

How stupid would that be?

If you don't like it, call your congressman. You obviously have no clue whatsoever how wireless services operate in the US.

Apple does not have the legal right to give you a way to circumvent carrier controls.

If you're not happy about it, then please, go buy an android so you can go be a troll on their forums instead of here.