Apple iPad AT&T 3G Pricing Structure Introduced
Now that the iPad 3G + WiFi has just come out, there are going to be many people wondering what sort of data plan they will have to buy for their new device. Luckily there are two options, and neither have the crazy contracts that the iPhone does. The first option is a $14.99 per month data plan limited to 250MB, and the second options is a $29.99 unlimited plan. Both plans also include access to any AT&T hot spot, of which there are 20,000 in the US alone. Regardless of which plan you choose, it will renew on a monthly basis, unless you cancel it. Cancellation can easily be done right on the iPad itself. The interesting thing is that for billing purposes, AT&T actually gives you a fake mobile number. Along with cancelling, you can also add or modify any data plan right from the device as well.
When using the limited 250MB data plan, it will be a good idea to make use of the tracking data supplied under Settings -> Cellular Data. You will also receive pop up notifications when reaching the 200MB, 225MB, and 250MB data usage milestones, and obviously, once you reach 250MB, you won’t be allowed to use any more until the 30-day, unless you upgrade to the unlimited for $29.99 or pay another $14.99, which starts another 30 day period from that day. If you choose not to, you simply do not pay anymore for the month and use your 3G iPad on wifi. This will save so many users a lot of heartache and wallet pain for overage fees. This really is the best feature for the $14.99 250mb data plan is that there is a cap, you will never receive an overage bill using your iPad on AT&T 3G.
This flexibility in data plans and payment seems new to AT&T and Apple products, and is being well received by many new customers. Of course, there are many concerns about whether or not 250MMB can get the average user through a month. The answer seems to be yes, unless you are streaming a lot of music and videos, which are the largest of the bandwidth eaters. Most surveys put iPhone data usage at 250MB or under per month, so the recommendation would be to try the limited for your first month with your new device, and see where you need to go from there.
The great part about these new flexible plans introduced for this device is that if you need to, you can easily upgrade, and there will be no extra charges for doing so. You should also remember that this device can still hook up to WiFi networks, so when you are at a hot spot, or at home (with a wireless connection), or at work (with a wireless connection), you won’t have to use your 3G data. This makes the 250MB limited plan much more enticing.
One thing to remember about the iPad AT&T plan is although it is not a contract, the plan does rollover every month, so if you do not cancel your access when you don’t need it you will be automatically charged the access fee every month until you cancel it.