Internet Sharing on Windows Phone

Microsoft has also introduced internet sharing in Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango). Of course, this feature is carrier dependent and most carriers will choose to block it, but it is still a very nice feature to have. Most Windows Phone have either already gotten the update that enables this feature or will be getting it sometime in the near future, but let me explain to you how it works. Also, keep in mind that your carrier may have disabled this feature on your device.

The only method of internet sharing on Windows Phone is by creating a mobile hotspot with your Windows Phone device. This is a fairly easy process; all you have to do is go into settings; internet sharing, and then set up your hostpot. Your hostpot can either have WPA2 encryption, or can be open. Up to five devices can connect to the hotspot at a time, and all of the data will simply go over your cellular connection. For now there is no way to tether via Bluetooth or USB.

Now, let's talk a little bit about internet sharing on T-Mobile. T-Mobile is a really nice carrier because they tend to disable as little features on their devices as possible. Luckily for me, internet sharing was one of the features that they decided not to disable on the HTC HD7. Though T-Mobile offers an internet sharing add-on for your rate plan, they also allow you to use internet sharing without having this add on. I do not believe that there is a charge for this if you already have a data plan, but I cannot say anything for sure. For now it seems like T-Mobile has simply been really nice in enabling internet sharing for free. Let's hope that it lasts.