Could tethering your iPhone's Net connection to your laptop soon be a reality? After earlier failed efforts to do just that, now AT&T says tethering is coming soon to an iPhone near you.

Tethering allows the handset to be used as a wireless modem for a PC. Be careful how you use the feature. Wireless carriers typically include 5GB in monthly wireless modem plans. Extra megabytes ...

The process involves a homebrew collection of software and hardware hacks, and ultimately allows your computer to see your iPhone as a modem thanks to a combination of 3proxy, Terminal, and Wi-Fi.

Tethering allows the handset to be used as a mobile broadband modem for a PC. O2 was listed as one of 22 iPhone carriers who will allow this functionality, which obviates any need for a 3G dongle.

So if you are an iPhone user, you would have to purchase a separate device with its own data plan to use on your laptop or other computer with the 3G network. Nonetheless, enterprising hackers ...

The tethering process requires you to accept a new two-year agreement; however, I want to ensure you that AT&T is aware of this and that your agreement will not be extended.

Despite AT&T's lack of tethering services for the iPhone 3G, a group of intrepid developers has produced a viable method for using the phones as wireless modems for laptop or desktop computers ...