Resource conscious tethering

A mobile communication device, comprising:

• a first network interface configured for connection to a telecommunications network to establish a wireless network connection with the telecommunications network;
• a second network interface configured for connection to a tethered computing device to establish a tethered connection with the tethered computing device and permit the tethered computing device to use the wireless network connection;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• obtain a first set of information regarding the wireless network connection;
• determine one or more characteristics of the wireless network connection based on the first set of information;
• and
• control the use of the wireless network connection by the tethered computing device responsive to the determined one or more characteristics of the wireless network connection.

A mobile communication device, comprising:

• a first network interface configured for connection to a telecommunications network to establish a wireless network connection with the telecommunications network;
• a second network interface configured for connection to a tethered computing device to establish a tethered connection with the tethered computing device and permit the tethered computing device to use the wireless network connection;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• obtain a first set of information regarding the wireless network connection;
• and
• restrict use of the wireless network connection by the tethered computing device to a portion of a total bandwidth of the wireless network connection when the first set of information meets a predetermined characteristic.

An article of manufacture, comprising:

• a non-transitory computer storage medium having a computer program encoded thereon that when executed by a processor on a mobile communication device enables appropriate use of a wireless network connection between the mobile communication device and a telecommunications network by a tethered computing device having a tethered connection with the mobile communication device, the computer program comprising code for:
• obtaining a first set of information regarding the wireless network connection;
• determining one or more characteristics of the wireless network connection based on the first set of information;
• and
• controlling the use of the wireless network connection by the tethered computing device responsive to the determined one or more characteristics of the wireless network connection.