Verizon confirms pricey Motorola DROID tethering service

A Verizon Wireless spokesperson has confirmed that it will allow Motorola DROID customers to tether their laptops to the smartphone for use as a modem, CNET reports. The new Android-powered phone won't ship with the functionality, but Verizon is scheduled to add the feature in 2010.

The article also explains the monthly pricing breakdown for the service, called Mobile Broadband Connect. Business customers who pay $44.99 for data service will pay $15 more for tethering. Smartphone consumers paying $29.99 for data will pay an additional $30. Users who only have a voice plan will pay $49.99 for the tethering service. Mobile Broadband Connect caps data transmission at 5GB per month and charges an overage of 5 cents per megabyte.

Verizon launched the anticipated Moto DROID smartphone in late October, as we reported. The device features 3G and WiFi data connectivity, a 3.7-inch WVGA (480x854 pixels) capacitive touchscreen, a 5.0 megapixel camera, Android 2.0, and more. The Motorola DROID is available today at Verizon Wireless stores for $199.99 after a two-year customer agreement and mail-in rebate.