Optus customers can now use their iPhone as a tethered model for $9.95 a month.

Tethering allows iPhone 3G S users to use the 3G connection on their iPhone to connect their notebook computer to the internet over USB or Bluetooth.

Customers need to pay the $9.95 month fee to allow tethering and consume data on their existing iPhone plan.

Optus has already begun changing its pricing structures by adding data packs that are an added cost over subscription plans and the tethering fee.

An Optus 2GB “Mobile as Modem” pack is AU $24.99 a month while a similar 6GB plan costs $44.99.