iPad data plans

MrOrchard

I'm after some insights from the collective intelligence here as to the best 3G data plan to go with on the iPad.

It seems like a bit of a no-brainer, Three are the cheapest by a long way, however it seems so straight forward that i MUST be missing something:

O2 - £15 p/m = 3GB
Three - £15 p/m = 10GB
Orange - £25 p/M = 10GB
Voda - £25 p/m = 5GB

It's too obvious isn't it? Anyone know of the catches?

Chorlie

It depends how much you're going to used the mobile data.

I tend to use wifi more, so I bought a 1GB Vodafone Sim off eBay and cut it down to a micro sim. The 1GB doesn't expire after 30days so this will last me months and save me a lot of money, but if your going to be using 3GB or 5GB+ a month then it's cheaper to select one of the ones you've listed.

You also need to find out which has the best coverage in the areas you're going to be using it, no put using paying £15+ and not getting a signal.

Also my sister pays £7.50 p/m for 5GB with Three for her dongle. Those prices seem a little steep are they iPad tariffs?

MrOrchard

They're iPad tariffs, but the higher ones, primarily as I have no idea how much i'll use, I'd assume a minimum of 3 (I use over 6 a month on my iPhone, but a pad device will always be less).

I think I'll start with three, it's a one month rolling contract, so I can change it frequently should I need to.

Astec

Just a thought. I've ordered a T-mobile PAYG phone with 6 months free internet. I assume it's at least 1gb per month (poss 3gb as on Android?). Could this be used in an iPad?

flyingscotno1

Astec wrote: »

Just a thought. I've ordered a T-mobile PAYG phone with 6 months free internet. I assume it's at least 1gb per month (poss 3gb as on Android?). Could this be used in an iPad?

You'd need a microsim I think as the iPad uses small sim cards, not ordinary size ones- not a great issue, you can cut it, but will it fit back into your phone in a usable situation....

Would tethering via USB work? I suspect apple haven't given the iPad functionality of netbooks et al to deal with that but it might have been an option.

Biglad_3

If you have an Android phone running Froyo 2.2 like the Desire for example you can use the phone as a wi-fi hotspot = data plan.

I have been running my netbook off mine for 2 months without a peep yet from voda, therefore i reckon the ipad would connect ok that way as well.

flyingscotno1

Biglad wrote: »

If you have an Android phone running Froyo 2.2 like the Desire for example you can use the phone as a wi-fi hotspot = data plan.

I have been running my netbook off mine for 2 months without a peep yet from voda, therefore i reckon the ipad would connect ok that way as well.

That's right forgot you could do that. So solution, stuff the iPad contract and buy a Desire to use as a phone and use Wi-Fi hotspot to make it work!

MrOrchard

That's annoying! I had the option of a desire for my work Blackberry upgrade yesterday, but was convinced into the upgraded version of the BB Bold. Boo.

carcuscrae

Chorlie wrote: »

It depends how much you're going to used the mobile data.

I tend to use wifi more, so I bought a 1GB Vodafone Sim off eBay and cut it down to a micro sim. The 1GB doesn't expire after 30days so this will last me months and save me a lot of money

Is that the old vodafone 1GB top up and go sim that they previously sold with no expiry as long as you used it every 180 days and is £15 per GB?

If so is it easy to cut these down to micro sim size and do they work on in the iPad?

Thanks

Chorlie

carcuscrae wrote: »

Is that the old vodafone 1GB top up and go sim that they previously sold with no expiry as long as you used it every 180 days and is £15 per GB?

If so is it easy to cut these down to micro sim size and do they work on in the iPad?

Thanks

Yep that's the one, I bought it off ebay for £9.99

Either download a micro sim templet to use to cut the sim or buy a sim cutter if you don't want to risk damaging the sim.

carcuscrae

Chorlie wrote: »

Yep that's the one, I bought it off ebay for £9.99

Either download a micro sim templet to use to cut the sim or buy a sim cutter if you don't want to risk damaging the sim.

Can you point me to where I can get a Sim Cutter or template please?

Thanks