Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
Summary: The Apple iPad 2 launches tomorrow and today we see what the data fees are going to be for the 3G models. There is nothing really shocking here, but will you just tether your smartphone or go for a 3G iPad?
I am quite happy with my Samsung Galaxy Tab and honestly was going to skip this version of the iPad. However, after realizing I spent over $400 on iPad apps, my posts on iPad software are quite popular here, and the fact that I am an early adopter I decided that I am going to pick one up. My next decisions to make are what color to buy (black or white) and if I buy one with carrier support. Verizon and AT&T pricing plans were fully unveiled today and as a result Verizon is now off the table for my consideration.
I personally get great coverage from AT&T and Verizon where I live, work, and play so both carriers are viable options for me. With as many smartphones as I have I don't really need the 3G model and may not end up getting it, but I do like that it has the GPS receiver with the flexibility to add data if the need arises.
Verizon iPad data fees
Verizon sent out an email stating that they will offer three iPad models tomorrow when the iPad goes on sale, $629.99 for the 16 GB model, $729.99 for the 32 GB model and $829.99 for the 64 GB model, available in black or white. Here is a breakdown of their available data plans:- $20 per month for 1 GB
- $35 per month for 3 GB
- $50 per month for 5 GB
- $80 per month for 10 GB
There is no contract so you can turn the data on and off. I believe the $20 plan charges $20 per GB extra while the others all have $10 per GB overage fees so make sure to choose wisely. You would think Verizon would just bump you up to the next plan if you exceed that, but then that would be a carrier working for you and not against you.
AT&T iPad data fees
AT&T is continuing the same options they had before. The 250MB option really is pretty worthless on a data hungry device like the iPad and I imagine all it will do is get you into trouble with overage fees.- $14.99 for 250MB of data
- $25.00 for 2GB of data
AT&T is offering 1 free month of 2GB data. Overage charges are $10 per GB if you exceed your limit. The iPad with iOS 4.3 may also offering tethering for an addition $20 per month with an additional 2GB of data. Given that I pay $40 for 5GB of data and tethering on my Samsung Galaxy Tab, the AT&T option with tethering doesn't seem like a bad option.
If you are a heavy data user then Verizon may be the best option while those who stay under 2GB may want to go for AT&T. Are you buying a 3G iPad 2? If so, what carrier are you choosing and why?
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Talkback
AT&T is a JOKE
Good luck with that.
If I'm getting anything it's Verizon.
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
I live in a state with less than a million residents, and in a city with less than 10,000 residents. Closest city with 30,000 people is 1/2 hour away, and closest city with more than 50,000 is an hour away and in a different country. So, I would say that I live in a pretty sparsley populated area. And, I have 3G coverage! Your post seems to imply that you have to live in a metro area to get 3G and that's nowhere near true. And I visited my parents last summer who are off the beaten path as well, but in a midwest state, closest big city 2 hours away, and I had 3G coverage the whole time I was there. So, I think you're a little anti-AT&T and are fudging the facts quite a bit! I can also tell you that my company had Verizon up until 2 years ago and made the switch to AT&T because in my area, AT&T had much better reception over a much larger area AND they had 3G. Verizon said they had 3G too, but having 3G doesn't do you much good if you can't get a signal!
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
ATT IS WAY Better than Tmobiles 3g which equals EDGE speed, I'll take ATT based on price.
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
In other words, you get Verizon 3G speeds.
I thought coverage was excellent where you work and live?
no dropped calls, great signal, fast downloads.
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
AT&T service is much better than Verizon here... I'll stick with them.
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
The funny thing is that I have worked for both companies as an engineer and have a little bit of bad news for you.
First off even the theoretical speeds of Verizon's EVDO don't match the actual speeds of AT&T's UMTS. That doesn't even account for HSPA+ which is actually currently faster than Verizon's LTE.
For those of you that don't know, the theoretical speed is what they say you would have if you had the perfect RF scenario and were the only one in that particular cell. It's normally about 3 times the actual speed customers see.
The moral of the story is this. If you live with 99% of the US population that AT&T covers and don't want to have the slowest 3g network, I suggest AT&T. If you love those full bars and slow data, go with VZW. I think the choice is pretty simple.
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
Now, whichever carrier offers LTE first, I'll buy that one as soon as it comes out. My bet is that will be Verizon, and I hope they're smart enough to realize that 2GB or even 4GB won't be enough data at LTE speeds. I'm sick to death of carriers and their data caps. Just give us a fair price for unlimited data and prevent certain types of traffic (P2P file sharing=NO; Video streaming=YES). If someone is using excessive data, monitor the communications and see WHY don't punish those of us just trying to move away from PCs to tablets by making us constantly worry about data caps (it's just so very "AOL" to think that way...)
AT&T
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
If you bought while the 30 dollar unlimited was in place, then you will still receive the 30 dollar unlimited plan. There was no price change for those who already had IPADs activated during the unlimited plan period
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
Why would I want another data charge?
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?
RE: Verizon and AT&T iPad 2 data fees revealed, which will you choose?