Sprint Ending Unlimited Smartphone Wi-Fi Tethering

Sprint has confirmed that it will begin to cap mobile hotspot data usage for smartphones beginning Oct. 2.

The policy change will end unlimited tethering, and will enforce a monthly cap of 5GB on 3G or 4G mobile hotspot users. This will limit how much data can be transferred by those who are using their handset as a wireless modem for another computer, like a laptop or tablet.

Sprint has confirmed that it will still offer unlimited data for people surfing the Web, exchanging email, or streaming video directly on their phone. This unlimited access has been the cornerstone of Sprint's advertising for much of this year, as Sprint is the last of the Big 4 U.S. carriers to sell an unlimited data plan.

Pricing?
While the carrier did not specify what the overage fees would be, a few reports have stated that the carrier will charge $0.05 for every MB used over the 5GB cap. This move comes a week after Sprint killed its Premier program, claiming it needed to do so to keep unlimited data and offer the best devices.

As rumors of a possible Oct. 13 iPhone launch at Sprint continue to buzz, the carrier's elimination of its $30 mobile hotspot add-on is another move to shore up spectrum and save money in preparation for the Apple smartphone.