Apple Community Discussion/Support

[#1]

If I already have an iPhone with the unlimited data plan, will I be able to use that plan with the 3G iPad?

[#2]

No.  The iPad will require its own data plan if you want it to have cellular data.  The data plan on the iPad will be optional.

So far it looks like these will be pricing.

$00 - No data plan.  For those that exclusively use WiFi.

$15 - 250MB plan.  For those that mainly use WiFi but once it a while are outside of WiFi range that might need to download something.

$30 - Unlimited Data.

[#3]

Hi,

does somebody know, whether this data plan is also valid for use outside the US, e.g. Europe? Might there be additionally costs, if?

Cheers

th89iz 

[#4]

Since the data service will be offered through AT&T, most likely you will incur normal roaming charges. Just as if you took your cell service abroad.

[#5]

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th89iz wrote:

does somebody know, whether this data plan is also valid for use outside the US, e.g. Europe? Might there be additionally costs, if?

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If you have an ATT plan and you travel outside the US there will be additional costs due to international roaming.

However the iPad is being sold unlocked, so you can easily get a pre-paid SIM from the country your visiting (if they support the new micro-SIM cards) and aviod the international fees.  The other option is to stick solely to WiFi.

[#6]

So what about activation fees? can you really turn the service on and off whenever you want for only 14 or 30 dollars? Or will there be other fees associated with either starting or ending service?

[#7]

Can you upgrade your current plan to just apply 3G to the iPad?  I have a simple Razor with no web service and would like to keep it that way.  Can you add the iPad to the same plan without having to upgrade the phone package or purchase a completely new plan for the iPad?

[#8]

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dhoyal wrote:

Can you upgrade your current plan to just apply 3G to the iPad?  I have a simple Razor with no web service and would like to keep it that way.  Can you add the iPad to the same plan without having to upgrade the phone package or purchase a completely new plan for the iPad?

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The iPad data plan has no bearing on your phone plan.  The two are seperate.

[#9]

It cannot be done.  The iPad will need its own SIM card.

The biggest hurdle that you can't get over is your phone uses a standard SIM card and the iPad uses the new micro-SIM card.  There would be no way you could move your SIM over as it would not fit.

It will have no effect on your current service as its completely seperate.  You don't even have to have a voice plan to be able to use an iPad on ATT.

[#10]

Also iPad data plans are no-contract and you pay as you need it:

"As a contract-free purchase, users can buy a 3G-enabled version of the iPad starting at $629. The AT&T network access can be purchased -- or canceled -- at any time directly from the iPad."

So it is totally uninvolved with your current AT&T phone service/plan.

Also, for what it's worth, it has been confirmed that Apple has no intention of ever letting you 'tether' your iPad through your iPhone.  You would only be able to do so using the same jailbreaking and modification methods as you would with any laptop which is against AT&T Terms and Conditions as well Apple's iPhone warranty.

Other carriers offer WiFi data sharing via their hand sets or MyFi cards which would work with any WiFi iPad. They have expensive contracts, but are very versitile if it better suits you.

Message Edited by thively on 03-15-2010 03:28:25 PM

[#11]

And from what I remember, the iPad is prepaid with a credit card.

Message Edited by click_clack on 03-15-2010 05:32:39 PM

[#12]

Apple has nothing to do with tethering capabilities for the most part it's an AT&T decision. Apple's iphone OS can tether and the service is available in other countries, but AT&T doesn't allow it. 

Also doesn't anyone have any information about fees associated with the month to month service? Are there going to be any setup or cancellation fees? I'm not getting a response so I'm beginning to think there will be fees in addition to the stated rates.  AKA there might not be a contract, but I've been told that there may be other fees to discourage disconnecting. 

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thively wrote:

Also, for what it's worth, it has been confirmed that Apple has no intention of ever letting you 'tether' your iPad through your iPhone.  You would only be able to do so using the same jailbreaking and modification methods as you would with any laptop which is against AT&T Terms and Conditions as well Apple's iPhone warranty.

Other carriers offer WiFi data sharing via their hand sets or MyFi cards which would work with any WiFi iPad. They have expensive contracts, but are very versitile if it better suits you.

[#13]

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Planet-Ed wrote:

It cannot be done.  The iPad will need its own SIM card.

The biggest hurdle that you can't get over is your phone uses a standard SIM card and the iPad uses the new micro-SIM card.  There would be no way you could move your SIM over as it would not fit.

It will have no effect on your current service as its completely seperate.  You don't even have to have a voice plan to be able to use an iPad on ATT.

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Aside from its own SIM card, the iPad will be using a new Micro SIM technology, so the iPhone & iPad cards won't even fit into each other's slots.

 Personally, I'd spend the extra $150 or so & add the 3G capability because you can activate & suspend your 3G wireless service on the iPad whenever you want easily right from the device.

 So, say you only need 3G from your iPad for 2 weeks during the year, that's all you'd pay for. 

[#14]

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FireFish wrote:

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Planet-Ed wrote:

It cannot be done.  The iPad will need its own SIM card.

The biggest hurdle that you can't get over is your phone uses a standard SIM card and the iPad uses the new micro-SIM card.  There would be no way you could move your SIM over as it would not fit.

It will have no effect on your current service as its completely seperate.  You don't even have to have a voice plan to be able to use an iPad on ATT.

---

Aside from its own SIM card, the iPad will be using a new Micro SIM technology, so the iPhone & iPad cards won't even fit into each other's slots.

 Personally, I'd spend the extra $150 or so & add the 3G capability because you can activate & suspend your 3G wireless service on the iPad whenever you want easily right from the device.

 So, say you only need 3G from your iPad for 2 weeks during the year, that's all you'd pay for. 

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Uhhh .. That's what I said 

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FireFish wrote:
So, say you only need 3G from your iPad for 2 weeks during the year, that's all you'd pay for. 

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We'll have to wait to see if that is true.  More likely its looking as if you purchase a month (either the 250 or unlimited plan), that is what you will have for the month to use.  There is no indication that you will be able to cancel that months subscription mid way and receive a refund.  So if you only need 2 weeks you will probably have to pay for a full month.  Which really isn't that bad as you can cancel the renewal process before the end of the month and it just won't renew the following month.

[#15]

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orbmobile wrote:

Apple has nothing to do with tethering capabilities for the most part it's an AT&T decision. Apple's iphone OS can tether and the service is available in other countries, but AT&T doesn't allow it. 

Also doesn't anyone have any information about fees associated with the month to month service? Are there going to be any setup or cancellation fees? I'm not getting a response so I'm beginning to think there will be fees in addition to the stated rates.  AKA there might not be a contract, but I've been told that there may be other fees to discourage disconnecting. 

---

Apple does have something to do with the tethering capabilities of the iPad.  You're takling about the iPhone, in which case you're correct.

The iPhone has the built in capability to allow tethering via "Bluetooth PAN".  And yes it's up to AT&T to allow that.  But the iPhone does NOT have the built in ability to share over WiFI.

The iPad will not support blutetooth PAN.  Steve Jobs recently confirmed there would be no capability in the iPad to tether over the iPhone.  In other words, there will be no bluetooth tethering support.  So the iPad can't do it regardless, even if AT&T were to allow the iPhone to do it (with your laptop.)

The only way the iPad can go online through another device (aka Tether) is if the phone supplying the connection can become a wireless access point.  The iPhone can't do that (unless you use a jailbreak application.)

As for the details, I've seen none.  Just the general annoucement about the pricing and that it's pre-paid.
I would expect it to work like the "Data Connect Pass":

https://buyasession.att.com/sbd/unauth/InitiateSBD.action

But that's speculation. It could be more like a pre-paid phone where there is an activation fee to create the account and if the account goes unused long enough it's canceled.  That would mean an extra fee if you go too far betwee uses.  Just speculation.

 

[#16]

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FireFish wrote:

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Aside from its own SIM card, the iPad will be using a new Micro SIM technology, so the iPhone & iPad cards won't even fit into each other's slots.

 Personally, I'd spend the extra $150 or so & add the 3G capability because you can activate & suspend your 3G wireless service on the iPad whenever you want easily right from the device.

 So, say you only need 3G from your iPad for 2 weeks during the year, that's all you'd pay for. 

---

Physically a micro SIM is the same dimensions as a regular SIM only a few mm shorter.  A regular SIM could be cut to fit in to the iPad, and if you tried to use the iPad SIM in a regular phone you'd have to find a way to keep it from sliding out of place in the SIM tray (A piece of tape.)

However, I'm 100% sure AT&T will tell you they don't allow you to do that and I should not even discuss that here.

[#17]

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Planet-Ed wrote:

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FireFish wrote:

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Aside from its own SIM card, the iPad will be using a new Micro SIM technology, so the iPhone & iPad cards won't even fit into each other's slots.

 Personally, I'd spend the extra $150 or so & add the 3G capability because you can activate & suspend your 3G wireless service on the iPad whenever you want easily right from the device.

 So, say you only need 3G from your iPad for 2 weeks during the year, that's all you'd pay for. 

---

Uhhh .. That's what I said 

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FireFish wrote:
So, say you only need 3G from your iPad for 2 weeks during the year, that's all you'd pay for. 

---

We'll have to wait to see if that is true.  More likely its looking as if you purchase a month (either the 250 or unlimited plan), that is what you will have for the month to use.  There is no indication that you will be able to cancel that months subscription mid way and receive a refund.  So if you only need 2 weeks you will probably have to pay for a full month.  Which really isn't that bad as you can cancel the renewal process before the end of the month and it just won't renew the following month.

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1. Sorry about that; looks like I accidentally hit Reply to the wrong post. I saw you mentioned the new SIM card.
2. You raise a good point & are most probably right about the 2 week thing. Also, I agree with you it is still worth it.

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Apple has a track record when mentioning 'Ships at end of month' to literally ship within the last 2 days of the month. With that being said, Its tough awaiting my iPad counting the days & will be even tougher when my friends are flaunting their WiFi modeled iPads on April 3rd. Just thought I'd mention my thoughts.

[#18]

For those of us who already have a Business Acct & Data Plan for our iPhones with AT&T, are we going to be able to put our iPad Data Plan on our business account also?

Thanks,

Paul

[#19]

I've seen nothing other than the iPad data plan will be prepaid and a separate account.  More than likely, pay by credit card.  Maybe you have a company credit card you can use?

This does not mean they won't come out with something else, but that was the only thing I have seen so far.

[#20]

It'll probably be a separate charge. Most likely:

* ACH W/D: AT&T MOBILITY

(or other carrier)

* APPL*iPAD PLAN

(similar to iTunes charges)

[#21]

I not only have the AT&T Business Data Plan, I have it attached to a micro SIM card.  Now all I need is a way to bypass the account signup process and get the access point information.  I also have a micro SIM for use in Europe but now it looks like that it won't work anyway.

Barring someone having the work around info, can someone point me to the bonehead at AT&T (thus mandating at least VP level) who is responsible for this {keep it courteous} policy?

[#22 · Accepted solution]

Thank you all for your inquires regarding the new iPad. Please be advised that out of the two iPad models; iPad Wi-Fi and the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G, AT&T is only providing 3G data network access to the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G model. Please read below for further information regarding the benefits and policies of the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G.

AT&T 3G Data Plans for iPad are unique pay-in-advance data rate plans built specifically for use with iPad. They do not require a long-term contract. As such, these plans are completely separate from any other service a customer might have with AT&T. These special plans cannot be added to, or managed, with an existing AT&T postpaid or prepaid account. All charges will appear on the customer’s credit or pinless debit card, not on an AT&T bill.

• AT&T 3G data plan for iPad users are provided usage notifications before their data access is suspended.

iPad Wi-Fi + 3G  customers are not required to activate an AT&T 3G Data Plan for iPad. If customers intend to activate an AT&T 3G Data Plan for iPad, they should check AT&T’s data coverage (3G and EDGE) to ensure that coverage exists in the areas where they will use the device. Remember that iPad Wi-Fi + 3G also connects to Wi-Fi. With an active AT&T 3G Data Plan for iPad, customers also receive free and seamless access to more than 20,000 AT&T hotspots in the U.S.

AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots will automatically authentic AT&T 3G Data Plan for iPad subscribers as long as they turn on Wi-Fi on the device.

AT&T 3G Data Plan for iPad customers are able to choose between two AT&T 3G Data Plan for iPad pricing options:

Domestic Data Plan Pricing:

• $15 for 250MB - Any unused data expires 30 days following service/rate plan activation
• $30 unlimited data

Domestic data plans auto-renew after 30 days until cancelled by the customer.

International Data Plan Pricing:

• $24.99 for 20MB
• $59.99 for 50MB
• $119.99 for 100MB
• $199.99 for 200MB

Additional Information - International Data Plans:

• Customers are required to select an effective date for their international data plans.
• All plans become effective at midnight on the date the user selects.
• Any unused data expires 30 days after the effective date of the plan.
• Customers may stack/purchase multiple iPad international data plans at any time.
• Each iPad international data plan has its own service expiration period.
• A stacked international data plan does not become effective until the customer reaches the maximum usage limit on their current international data plan or the international data plan expires.
• If the customer has an active international plan with available data but their domestic data has been depleted, any domestic use will deplete the international data plan balance.
• Information on international data plan coverage is available at att.com/dataconnectglobal

Some of the iPad policies include:

• No credit check required
• Term contract pricing is not available
• Customers must agree to AT&T's Terms and Conditions regarding network usage.
• 3G data plans for iPad are strickly for iPad and cannot be used with other devices.
• iPad service is completely separate from any other service a customer might have with AT&T.
• It cannot be combined with other accounts or service discounts.