You know there is always a disclaimer to that term *unlimited* you'd need to look at the small print because most companies will start talking about a fair usage policy if you consume too much.
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*All UK iPad tariffs here* [INFO]
- Thread starter sassenach74
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You know there is always a disclaimer to that term *unlimited* you'd need to look at the small print because most companies will start talking about a fair usage policy if you consume too much.
Yes, I think we were definitely 'sold a pup' in terms of data/sims outside of the US... during the iPad unveiling, the at&t deal -and Steve's speech made it seem as if the iPad could be travelled with from country-to-country and buying a low-cost native sim would be as easy as picking up a packet of gum at the airport... sadly, data for the iPad seems as overpriced and overcomplicated as ever, especially for travellers. Don't get me wrong, Apple didn't tell any lies, but now I am beginning to understand the shroud of secrecy which surrounded international pricing/data plans 
To be honest, the whole thing seems pretty messy.
The mobile networks are trying to capitalise on the use of a Micro SIM in order to get people to accept tariffs that they would simply not accept on another device.
I don't think that the ability to just cut-down another SIM will ever become widely known about and used with the average iPad user, so the networks will probably be quite succesful in their quest to get people to use "iPad" tariffs on the whole.
What would be interesting would be to see what, if anything the networks can do to stop people using other (typically cut-down) SIMs. The networks have the ability to do this, of course, but it may be limited by Terms & Conditions. I think I read somewhere on here about someone who put a SIM from his iPhone contract in a Nokia device or similar to make use of the unlimited data, and got a "put it back in an iPhone or we cut you off" message from his network. At my work, O2 provided the company with a report showing all of the corporate SIMs that were being used in (jailbroken)iPhones, despite the company not having bought any iPhones...
The only thing on our favour is that most iPad tarrifs don't require any commitment on a 12 or 18 month basis. The published tariffs are very new and will surely get more competitive, once people realise that they can just keep chasing the best deal.
The mobile networks are trying to capitalise on the use of a Micro SIM in order to get people to accept tariffs that they would simply not accept on another device.
I don't think that the ability to just cut-down another SIM will ever become widely known about and used with the average iPad user, so the networks will probably be quite succesful in their quest to get people to use "iPad" tariffs on the whole.
What would be interesting would be to see what, if anything the networks can do to stop people using other (typically cut-down) SIMs. The networks have the ability to do this, of course, but it may be limited by Terms & Conditions. I think I read somewhere on here about someone who put a SIM from his iPhone contract in a Nokia device or similar to make use of the unlimited data, and got a "put it back in an iPhone or we cut you off" message from his network. At my work, O2 provided the company with a report showing all of the corporate SIMs that were being used in (jailbroken)iPhones, despite the company not having bought any iPhones...
The only thing on our favour is that most iPad tarrifs don't require any commitment on a 12 or 18 month basis. The published tariffs are very new and will surely get more competitive, once people realise that they can just keep chasing the best deal.
Some real "cashing in" going on there, especially at Vodafone! Is it not possible to use a cheaper tarriff designed for something else and cut the SIM down, how would they know?
I'd just go for a 3 Mifi though. Superb coverage in urban areas and dirt cheap. Their support is crap but if you stick to pay as you go, hopefully you'd never need it.
I'd just go for a 3 Mifi though. Superb coverage in urban areas and dirt cheap. Their support is crap but if you stick to pay as you go, hopefully you'd never need it.
I'm going for the MiFi option too.
In fact it's even better than that - given that the MiFi exists I can get a WiFi only iPad safe in the knowledge that I can get a MiFi later if I decide I need 3G. My girlfriend is also getting an iPad so by getting 2xWiFi only iPads we've saved £200 just on the hardware. That's enough for a MiFi which we can share and £150 worth of data; even if we get one each it is still way better value.
Plus there is the extra flexibility of the MiFi working with laptops and stuff (and the inevitable 2011 iPad model), and it means we get the slightly lighter and slightly nicer looking iPads. The weight difference is small but I've heard multiple reports that they are a touch heavy to hold for long periods, so every little helps.
I can't see myself travelling anywhere where I want to take the iPad with me but don't have a bag or something to keep the MiFi device in.
The only downside seems to be the lack of GPS. It would be nice but not really worth the cost IMO.
All in all I'm way happier doing this than shelling out the extra £100 "just in case" I need the 3G later...
In fact it's even better than that - given that the MiFi exists I can get a WiFi only iPad safe in the knowledge that I can get a MiFi later if I decide I need 3G. My girlfriend is also getting an iPad so by getting 2xWiFi only iPads we've saved £200 just on the hardware. That's enough for a MiFi which we can share and £150 worth of data; even if we get one each it is still way better value.
Plus there is the extra flexibility of the MiFi working with laptops and stuff (and the inevitable 2011 iPad model), and it means we get the slightly lighter and slightly nicer looking iPads. The weight difference is small but I've heard multiple reports that they are a touch heavy to hold for long periods, so every little helps.
I can't see myself travelling anywhere where I want to take the iPad with me but don't have a bag or something to keep the MiFi device in.
The only downside seems to be the lack of GPS. It would be nice but not really worth the cost IMO.
All in all I'm way happier doing this than shelling out the extra £100 "just in case" I need the 3G later...
Yes, cutting down shouldn't be a problem. But I suspect that all network providers will be clamping down on data downloads anyway - following Vodafone putting 500MB caps on most contracts, which they recently announced.
The MiFi route will suit many people, I'm sure. Like others though, I'm prepared to pay a bit of a premium to not have yet another device I have to charge and carry. it's clearly a matter of personal choice though...
I picked up a '3' MiFi at the weekend, but I want to get it unlocked for my move abroad. It is a snazzy little gadget though, thats for sure!
I dont think they'll do that. It'd just encourage more and more public WiFi hotspots, and then the use of Skype more and more. Slowly killing themselves off.
If i was not allowed more than 500mb data i wouldnt have an iPhone even, i've just have a cheap Payg handset and make do.
Hey guys, just a quick note to anyone looking to buy a 3 sim card and then cut it down to a micro sim for use in the iPad.
On Thursday, I bought a 3 sim card, topped it up with £15 credit, and then converted this credit to a mobile broadband add on, which gave me 3GB of data. All was working fine on Thursday and Friday, but vy Saturday, the sim card would no longer work in the iPad, with a notification popping up saying 'Incompatible Handset", and all I get is 'No Service".
Other people have had problems here : http://www.avforums.com/forums/apple-ipad-forum/1250017-3-three-payg-sim-problem.html
Just thought I'd let you all know to avoid this problem!
On Thursday, I bought a 3 sim card, topped it up with £15 credit, and then converted this credit to a mobile broadband add on, which gave me 3GB of data. All was working fine on Thursday and Friday, but vy Saturday, the sim card would no longer work in the iPad, with a notification popping up saying 'Incompatible Handset", and all I get is 'No Service".
Other people have had problems here : http://www.avforums.com/forums/apple-ipad-forum/1250017-3-three-payg-sim-problem.html
Just thought I'd let you all know to avoid this problem!
Yeah, im not keen on this Mifi thing meaning i'll have to carry an extra device and charge it.
Would have been cool if the mifi device was smaller and could be stuck into the ipad via the connector port and charged at the same time.
Further more i hate 3, their service is crap.
Would have been cool if the mifi device was smaller and could be stuck into the ipad via the connector port and charged at the same time.
Further more i hate 3, their service is crap.
Strange that. They are getting their money still. They allow it to be used in a MIFI which the iPad would be using at the same data usage. In fact other things could camp onto the MIFI and use it as well, at the same time. I can't understand their reasoning for baring the iPad. Unless it's sour grapes because they didn't get invited to the party along with O2, Voda and Orange.
i think they will start complaining about fair usage, i'm on that tariff and i got a text the other day saying i'm 50Mb away from exceeding the 500Mb fair usage limit on my iphone and thats just from some bog standard use.
The Vodafone tariffs have just changed, to the £25 option being "Unlimited", with a 5GB Fair Use policy.
Interesting - I wonder how strict they will be on that 5GB usage, and whether Orange's 10GB for the same sum will come out better or not?
Interesting - I wonder how strict they will be on that 5GB usage, and whether Orange's 10GB for the same sum will come out better or not?
O2 SIM that gives unlimited internet and 300 texts for £10 topup is going to be my choice now...
Just registered for two on their website, will use the first one for perfecting my cutting technique!
Apparently Vodafone is now offering 1Gb for £10/pm.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/ipad-international-data-plans-roundup-japan-gets-sim-locked-dev/
Tried a search for "ipad" on Vodafone's website and the only response was "Did you mean iPod?".
Footnote - that Spanish deal is stonking!
Apparently Vodafone is now offering 1Gb for £10/pm.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/ipad-international-data-plans-roundup-japan-gets-sim-locked-dev/
Tried a search for "ipad" on Vodafone's website and the only response was "Did you mean iPod?".
Poor Vodafone. Doesn't seem to know what to offer. Running in circles chasing it's own tail
I'd be very cautious of that if I were you, read the small print that comes with the card, you could find yourself with a hefty bill and a disconnection.
Got any sources for that? Or purely speculation? Can't think how it's breaking the terms.... and as it's pay-as-you-go if I went over "unlimited" (whatever the real hidden limit is) it'd just eat away at the £10 credit.
What I'm after is a purely pay-as-you-go topup option. I.E One where I put £10 of credit on it and then put more on when I've used it up.
To those who use 3 MIFI
1-When you get the device does it come with a 3 sim already installed .
2-How do you topup the credit , is it the exact same way as you would on a PAYG mobile ?
3- If you buy it for a month does it last exactly 1 month from point of purchase or to the end of the month you purchased it on.
4-Also with the sd card slot what does it do for you if you have a ipad ...or a laptop
5-How long does the battery last , and how quick is it to charge it
thanks dino26
1-When you get the device does it come with a 3 sim already installed .
2-How do you topup the credit , is it the exact same way as you would on a PAYG mobile ?
3- If you buy it for a month does it last exactly 1 month from point of purchase or to the end of the month you purchased it on.
4-Also with the sd card slot what does it do for you if you have a ipad ...or a laptop
5-How long does the battery last , and how quick is it to charge it
thanks dino26
To those who use 3 MIFI
1-When you get the device does it come with a 3 sim already installed .
2-How do you topup the credit , is it the exact same way as you would on a PAYG mobile ?
3- If you buy it for a month does it last exactly 1 month from point of purchase or to the end of the month you purchased it on.
4-Also with the sd card slot what does it do for you if you have a ipad ...or a laptop
5-How long does the battery last , and how quick is it to charge it
thanks dino26
I have a 3 MiFi but I don't use it on 3 but I can answer some of your questions.
1. It doesn't come with a SIM already inside but you get a SIM in the pack which you can install yourself.
4. To use the MicroSD card slot you have to plug it into a laptop or whatever using the supplied USB cable and it works in the same way as a USB stick you can't access it wirelessly. So your only hope of being able to access it on the iPad is if it works using the Camera connection kit - don't have this so I don't know.
5. Battery Life - I get about 4 hrs from it and takes around 6hrs to charge.