Apple iPad 3G service plans on AT&T, $30 for unlimited data

In a direct blow to everyone else with a netbook and an unlimited data plan, AT&T has scored a deal to offer unlimited 3G data on 3G-capable versions of the iPad for $29.99 a month (then again, this is the same as an iPhone plan, and you're getting iPhone-level capability here). A 250MB plan, meanwhile, will be available for half that at $14.99 a month. Activation can happen right on the device -- no store visits or calls are necessary -- and there's no contract involved. The device is fully unlocked, so if you absolutely want to, you're welcome to take it to any other GSM carrier of your choice (assuming you can find a SIM that works -- Apple's talking up a new "micro SIM" for it). International users, stay tuned: Apple expects to have deals in place for you by June of this year.

Apple iPad 3G service plans on AT&T

[skyblaze Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:15PM]

........at&t tho...... they still havent learned?

[skyblaze Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:16PM]

@skyblaze

props for no contract i guess

[Hosain Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:17PM]

@skyblaze 250mb for 14.99? its 1996 all over again.

[TheRogueFFAngel Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:18PM]

Anyone surprised!

VERIZON FUCKED THEMSELVES

Droid DOESNT

[a dumb cat Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:19PM]

@Hosain

Sounds like a tampon...

[dez Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:19PM]

@TheRogueFFAngel

ya, i'm sure that Verizon really gives a crap about this device.

[TheRogueFFAngel Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:26PM]

@skyblaze

Umm yeah you android fanboys and apple haters certainly do.

Thatls all you've been bitching about for years now...

Why is the iPhone only on AT&T. ITS NOT FAIR! WAH WAH WAH!.

BBRING IT TO VERIZON.

Well guess what? That's NOT happening. At least not right now.

SO FUCK VERIZON.

[JKL Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:30PM]

@TheRogueFFAngel

People don't want to use AT&T's shitty faux 3G network you moron.

[shotta Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:30PM]

@TheRogueFFAngel: Dude relax, it just an iPad.

[aniym Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:50PM]

@Hosain hey it's better than their GoPhone prepaid data: $20 for a measly 100MB, or even worse, $5 for 1MB.

[cobaltage Posted Jan 27th 2010 5:03PM]

@skyblaze AT&T really upped the game here. The data plan is the iPad's killer feature, IMO. Also, it's easier on AT&T's network to have more stationary devices and fewer mobile data using devices. I'm just surprised that they went both to $30/month and no contract at the same time. But since I think AT&T will lose iPhone exclusivity (it's the only way for Apple to significantly increase U.S. sales of the iPhone at this point), AT&T is basically hoping to swap out some iPhone users (maybe 10-15%) for iPad users. It's better than a tethering at $30/month option. And it makes the iPad competitive with and superior to 3G MIDs and 3G netbooks on the basis of the cost and convenience of the data plan alone.

It's also a good argument for giving up cable TV.

[ravissimo Posted Jan 27th 2010 6:07PM]

@skyblaze awesome, another device to eat up at&t crappy network to disconnect more of my calls.

[JKL Posted Jan 27th 2010 7:50PM]

@skyblaze

What I don't get is that if it's a no-contract deal, why would you limit the device to AT&T? Why not just open up the device to a carrier of the user's choice? Not only would this provide a better experience, it would also allow the smaller carriers to compete for service. As it stands, AT&T has no reason to improve as they know people are forced to use them. This is something reminiscent of the bell put-up or shut-up days. Which is pretty interesting considering Apples was founded on going against 'big brother'. My number one pet-peeve of any company is devices being locked down and being forced to use what they deem appropriate.

[Duke Posted Jan 28th 2010 12:28PM]

@TheRogueFFAngel

Sprinkles give it a rest!

Oh, everyone - TheRogueFFAngel is known as Sprinkles, and he's a troll at joystiq who rants one sided fanboyism for the xbox and whatever other gadget he happens to have latched onto. He then gets banned and makes a new account. Don't let his inability to actually back anything up or make a valid point frustrate you too much.

[jennamarcuss Posted Apr 3rd 2010 8:59AM]

@skyblaze In regards to calls, just wait for the first jailbreak, since you will probably will be able to install skype and run it using either 3G or Wi-Fi to dial calls, after all the iPad has built-in speaker mike and speaker, bluetooth, and headphone jacks.

Reasons to get and not get the ipad? http://bit.ly/the-ipad-debate-using-it

[leetmeat Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:16PM]

still fail.

[Acey Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:19PM]

@leetmeat
I can never run on a limited data plan... I dont want to worry about data usage when i browse

[00iEye00 Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:21PM]

@leetmeat sheeeet! if you thought the AT&T Network over pacled just wait until the iMaxipad gets on it. you will not even be able to call 911 ! prepaid because they know the service will be poopie

[dez Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:24PM]

@00iEye00

there's no phone in it. Good luck calling any number, let alone 911.

[Biomech Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:16PM]

REVOLUTIONARY!

[jon Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:16PM]

*Unlimited data plan is limited to 5GB per month.

[Silic0nJ3sus Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:19PM]

@jon QFT

[dark star Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:20PM]

@jon
hehe
can somebody sue them for this???

[kjb434 Posted Jan 27th 2010 5:13PM]

@jon

Not if its in the contract you sign.

Unlimited Data Plan is the name and not the description. The contract is the real description. Blame lawyers if you don't like this.

[jon Posted Jan 27th 2010 5:49PM]

@kjb434

Horseshit, they describe it as unlimited as well.

Go defend the carriers somewhere else.

[creepin Posted Jan 27th 2010 6:33PM]

@jon

5 gigs is more than enough though...

on my Nokia 5800 i use about 700MB per month, that includes constant email checking, casual (addictive engadget browsing) and watching some youtube videos..

it should serve you well, unless it is the only internet connection you have...

in that case you shouldn't buy an iPad and get a landline instead :)
I think the data plans were a more exciting announcement than the iPad.


My question now is though, are these prepaid plans exclusive to the iPad, or will other GoPhone users get to enjoy the wonders of unlimited data on their phones???

[jon Posted Jan 27th 2010 7:28PM]

@creepin

5GB is more than enough, until they call it unlimited.

If you can't understand that distinction, I really can't help you.

Also, this thing plays HD video from iTunes, those files will eat 5GB in a day or two.

[Frankenstein Black Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:17PM]

AND NO CONTRACT!!!!! SWEEEEEEEEEEET!

[M3 Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:17PM]

Great more stress on a stressed out network.

[whiskers Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:21PM]

@M3
This. As if the network wasn't congested enough.
Also, I thought it was reported that it had no 3G? Too much excitement?

[Tweak589 Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:17PM]

iPaid for counter-productivity

[CharlieX Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:17PM]

AT&T?!?!?!?!? OMG. What a bag of crap.

My iPhone is utter crap on AT&T. Their LA network is unreliable and spotty as hell.

[pja48142 Posted Jan 27th 2010 10:30PM]

@CharlieX
Congrats, kwitcherbitchin.... In the past month my iphone has worked just fine in Toledo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Asheville NC, Atlanta, Detroit and Minneapolis. Sorry ATT hasn't invested in bazillion towers to deal with topography issues in the LA basin. The vast majority of ATT customers have a perfectly good experience everyday. However, the media has seized on a few people who live with a hill between them and the closest tower, and it's suddenly fashionable to bash on ATT. I've been with ATT since their TDMA days, and haven't had problems. Move. I'd rather see ATT expand 3G coverage than try to fill the gaps in the canyons near you.

[Duke Posted Jan 28th 2010 12:56PM]

@pja48142

Oh yeah, and all those hills and valleys are what causes the really poor service in Chicago, IL right? The flattest state around. Stop making excuses for a gigantic company who can pay marketing staff to do it. Their network is a damn mess and many of us iPhone users have problems...not just a few.

[tux2005 Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:17PM]

250MB???? Who would buy that . . . . .

If AT&T have trouble handling a ton of iPhone users on unlimited data then how are they ever going to handle iPad users who will use even more data?

[JamesR Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:53PM]

@tux2005

I'd be tempted since I'm in wifi range 99% of the time. I'd only use 3G in a pinch. Since there's no contract I'd just buy it when I needed and cancel it after, kind of like buying intertube access on a plane.

[Sor1 Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:18PM]

Seriously i can't stop laughing !!!! With so many rumours going on.. SOO MANY articles and speculation, and still as Apple usually does the last years present something mediocre..hahaha

[Jordan Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:18PM]

So how about 15 dollars for 250MB on my iPhone...cuz that's what I need.

If used right, this "thing" would use more data than a phone.

And really....AT&T, they can't even support what they have now.

[appsman Posted Jan 27th 2010 3:15PM]

@Jordan - Yep, I'm there too for a cheap iPhone data plan, but I doubt that AT&T will cut anyone that kind of break.

[hdawggy Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:18PM]

YIKES THATS SOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR A NONE PHONE DEVISE!!!!!!AAAAAHHHHHHHHH APPLE + ATT = ANGRY AT EACH OTHER BUT MAKE CRAZY MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NorthernGuy Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:31PM]

@hdawggy

It is not really so much money, just a couple of hours wages. Does it perhaps seem so much because with your language skills you can't hold down a decent job?

[Luffy Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:18PM]

LOL AT&T
LOL 250mb PLAN
LOL LOL

Although, props for contract-free data plans

[FraggleRock Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:18PM]

iSTFU

[iamlilysdad Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:18PM]

more network issues for everyone.

[rjcalifornia Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:18PM]

Palm Foleo anyone?

[cheapinkc Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:19PM]

I'm shocked by this.....AT&T's network already has challenges handling data from iPhone.

[Frankenstein Black Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:19PM]

$499?!?!?!?!?!??!?! DAMN!!!!

[987654321 Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:19PM]

Hahaha, ripoff. Also, I hear AT&T's service sucks.

[hcho3 Posted Jan 27th 2010 2:19PM]

I am sorry, but did I just hear the word, AT&T? You fail, apple.
But, it's unlocked. That means it can go with t-mobile, hmmm.

[Demodave Posted Jan 27th 2010 3:32PM]

@hcho3 Uhhhhh.....T-Mobile service is way more spotty than AT&T's service. Get real!!