Google Glass will require an active data connection if you want it to function to its maximum capability, which means it would make plenty of sense for those living Stateside to purchase a Bluetooth tethering plan from your carrier, should you want to use Google Glass at just about any time. Of course, all of that might eventually come to an end with the implementation of the XE9 software update, which will free up Google Glass to tether on its own. In a nutshell, all that is required of a Glass explorer is to download the MyGlass app and pair it with Glass.
This should be enough to enable Google Glass to get online, but do ensure that it is paired via the app, as opposed to the smartphone’s settings. Needless to say, this will apply only to handsets that run on the Android operating system since MyGlass has no similar app on other platofrms, iOS included. Apart from that, there is also no guarantee that free tethering will be a feature in Glass when it arrives on store shelves, but should Google decided that they want support from wireless carriers when it comes to marketing Glass, then the free-tethering mode will most probably stop at retail.