Tethering a cell phone to a laptop allows you to use your phone’s data connection on your laptop. For most devices, this means you’ll be able to surf the web on your computer at 3G speeds, although 4G speeds are available on some devices. The exact steps to tethering are specific to the device and cell carrier, but the general steps remain the same.

One option to tether a smartphone is through the use of a USB cord. With this method, you’ll just need your phone, a laptop,, and a USB cord. Get more information at http://blog.o2.co.uk/home/2011/09/-o2-tethering-how-to-set-up-your-android-phone.html Connect the phone to the laptop, and launch an app on your phone that will enable tethering. On Android, there are a number of apps in the Android Market. For an iPhone, you’ll most likely need to jailbreak your device.

Another way to tether with your cell phone is to use it as a wireless hotspot. With this method, your phone acts as a router and your laptop will see it as such. For this service, many carriers charge a fee, and then you launch an app from your phone enabling the functionality. There are also free apps on Android, such as Wireless Tether, that allow hotspot functionality. Launch the app, and then connect to your phone’s data connection as you would any other WiFi hotspot.

Tethering is easy and, for the most part, convenient. If you need internet access in a pinch, it’s the easiest way to get it. Follow the instructions outlined here, and you’ll be tethering in no time.