Windows Phone 7.5 includes mobile hotspot data sharing feature

By Tom Warren, on 25th Aug 11 6:56 am with 31 Comments

Microsoft’s final build of Windows Phone 7.5 includes a mobile hotspot feature.

Internet Sharing (ICS) is included in the RTM build of Windows Phone 7.5 and appears to require carrier activation. The feature was discovered by WPCentral who note that it’s present in the settings menu for Windows Phone 7.5 build 7720.68. The data sharing feature will allow Windows Phone 7.5 users to share their cellular data connection over Wi-Fi with up to 5 guests.

Early reports suggest the feature works well but impacts battery life in a significant way. The device (shown below) is an AT&T Samsung Focus. Despite the discovery, Microsoft has made no official mention of the hotspot data sharing feature. The company is launching the first Windows Phone 7.5 device in Japan today and is expected to reveal more devices next week.

Windows Phone 7.5 mobile hotspot

  • Homer Web

    I don’t think that “company” (you probably mean Microsoft) is launching any Windows Phone 7.5 device at all… ;)

    • Anonymous

      i dont get it

    • Eli

      its too early to be smoking that stuff… you’re not making any sense :)

    • Homer Web

      What part exactly you do not understand? ;)
      Microsoft produce none of the Windows Phone Devices so it will not launch any device. The producers will do…
      It is the same like if you would say that Google is launching their Android Devices. This could be said e.g. about Apple who is also the producer of the OS and device.

    • http://twitter.com/NorrathReaver Shane Nokes

      So you think Microsoft wasn’t present to launch the first Mango phone along with representatives for both the carrier and manufacturer?

      You also don’t think they’ll be involved in the reveal of future phones?

    • Homer Web

      OK, I was on the new BMW 7 launch. Am I launching the new car or is it the BMW? Even if I would be supplier of some parts of the new car, I think that BMW is launching the car. Not me… ;)

    • http://twitter.com/Wheezle211 Wheezle

      Boring semantics. Who cares.

    • Homer Web

      Whatever you say. But its a lie. ;)

    • Anonymous

      A trivial semantic mistake is not the same as a lie.

    • Homer Web

      It is not a semantic mistake but it is a factual mistake. ;) And if you look to the Tom’s articles he does it all the time.

    • Guest

      Then stop reading and start your own anal blog, where grammar and punctuation will be perfect but the content as dull and boring as your comments.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1724462076 Tim Mariner

      Way to win an argument by espousing the idea that grammar and punctuation are unimportant in written communication!

    • OMG55

      Very childish to be debating over this stupid subject or to bring it up especially if you already know manufacturers will or will not be launching new devices….One thing is fact….MANGO HAS BE RELEASED TO MANUFACTURERS AND IT DOES SUPPORT FFC.

    • Guest

      When a baby is born, was it launched by the mother only or by the mother and father?

    • Homer Web

      What this example has to do with new phone devices launch? :) ))
      I have two kids and I don’t think, that I was launching the kids at all… :-D But maybe you are launching your kids…;)

    • Anonymous

      The operating system is an integral part of the device and Microsoft will play a lead role in marketing the os and the devices. Part suppliers for a car don’t do that. Microsoft is launching the OS and the oems are launching the hardware.

    • Homer Web

      So as the the engine of the car. And even if the car producers use for example Mercedes-Benz engine and gearbox to their cars its still them, who is launching the car, not the MB.

    • Guest

      MS’s go-to-market strategy for WP7 is via OEMs. There is no MS direct strategy. So yes, it is a MS launch as much as it’s an OEM one. And MS probably helped fund it, drive attendance, and was there in a support capacity.

  • http://twitter.com/alexwilks88 Alex Wilks

    As an iPad owner this is super-massive-important news; I’ve been tethering to my Pre for the last year and was really gutted that switching to WP7 would mean having to give up mobile internet access on the iPad; guess this won’t be a problem now :D

  • http://twitter.com/alexwilks88 Alex Wilks

    As an iPad owner this is super-massive-important news; I’ve been tethering to my Pre for the last year and was really gutted that switching to WP7 would mean having to give up mobile internet access on the iPad; guess this won’t be a problem now :D

    • http://twitter.com/RobertCFP Robert Wade

      I don’t consider tethering or hotspotting a very important feature.  My Focus can access the internet in any way I need.  My notebook computer can access the internet in any way I need.

      Non-news.

    • http://twitter.com/alexwilks88 Alex Wilks

      Right…non-news to you but, like I said, very significant for people who don’t want to spend extra on a 3G connection for their tablet or laptop. O2 in the UK doesn’t charge extra for tethering either so it seems pointless for me to pay for data on another device with this feature.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sterling-Hudson/643440416 Sterling Hudson

      I mean you already got raped by buying an ipad in the first place so i dont see what would be the problem in buying the 3g version because obviously money has no value to you.

    • http://twitter.com/alexwilks88 Alex Wilks

      Thanks for that! I’ve spent a year trying to work out what possessed me to spend my hard-earned money on something I only use for about 2-3 hours every single day so I guess I’ll just have to sell up now some narrow minded commenter on the internet can’t find anything constructive to say :)

  • Anonymous

    @Tom Warren so how do you feel seeing your post turned into a grammar class? :D

  • http://twitter.com/eskeemo Kee

    Had that, you just need to make some registry movements. Change the phone option as a modem. Lol, just visit xda

  • Morgan

    I am sure AT&T will strip this out or charge extra to use it. Very cool though.

  • Morgan

    I am sure AT&T will strip this out or charge extra to use it. Very cool though.

  • Anonymous

    Now we need a hack to activate this without the carrier’s permission. I already spend $40 for 2gb access. I am not spending another $25 so that another device can use the same 2gb. I understand stopping tethering for unlimited plans, but charging me twice for the same data is ridiculous.

  • Anonymous

    This is good. Does WP7 support 4G at all or not? anybody know

  • Anonymous

    Very few people use tethering on a mobile phone to begin with.