Microsoft To Mandate Free Tethering on Windows Phone 7? (Updated)

According to a message on Twitter made by developer Richard Dudley of ComponentOne fame, Microsoft has officially confirmed to developers that it will mandate free USB tethering capability at on all of its Windows Phone 7 devices, effectively ordering carriers to sell the devices with free tethering and prohibiting the sale of typically expensive tethering plans on the devices.  For Microsoft to make such a mandate demonstrates the lengths the company is going to to make Windows Phone 7 a success.

As carriers continue to push tethering and mobile hotspot services on high-end smart devices for a typically inflated additional cost, the possibility of Windows Phone 7 devices being sold by carriers with tethering service included would make the consumer-oriented devices more attractive to corporate clients and enthusiasts that would normally desire and have a need for such services.

As of now, the only smart devices sold in the US with included tethering capability at no additional cost are the Verizon Palm Pre and Pixi Plus, which PhoneNews.com has extensively covered previously in regards to taking advantage of the service.

Update: The previous message has been deleted due to a misunderstanding and stresses that the functionality is still unconfirmed.