Eternal optimist Verizon calls iPad launch 'an opportunity' to sell some data plans

That's the "glass is half full" attitude we like, Verizon -- always looking for a way to sign a few more of those lucrative data contracts, no matter the circumstances! Turns out Big Red is tipping off its staffers on how it can encourage customers to go with the WiFi-only version of the iPad and pair it up with a device like the MiFi rather than shelling out $130 more for integrated AT&T 3G and waiting a few extra weeks. As usual, Verizon's keen on playing up the anti-AT&T sentiment it's cultivated in its recent ad campaign by openly calling its biggest competitor's 3G network "overloaded," but we see one big hangup: 5GB of data on a Verizon MiFi is going to run you $60 a month, twice as much as AT&T will be charging for its dedicated, unlimited iPad plan. Then again, AT&T's own boss thinks WiFi's a bigger deal than 3G for this thing, so who knows -- maybe this is a zero-sum game for both of these guys.

[Thanks, Mark]

[PastorTom Posted Mar 9th 2010 10:24PM]

This is what I've been planning on doing from the moment the iPad was released, it just makes more sense.

[Jeff Kibuule Posted Mar 9th 2010 11:10PM]

It's the required 2 year contract that's the kicker. I really don't need another contract or $60/month bill, thank you very much.

[mjwedeking Posted Mar 9th 2010 11:32PM]

Just no GPS with the WiFi only

[bluecoltrane Posted Mar 9th 2010 11:36PM]

no ones mentioning that the 3g version would allow you to travel with it to places like europe.. get a micro sim from a local provider... plus wi fi isn't as open there as it is here.. i had a hard time finding open hot spots in france... an ipad and a 3g plan from orange or whoever would be awesome for a couple of weeks on the train in the french countryside!

[Trocks797 Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:27AM]

AT&T is cool with unlimited data and no contract for $30 a month because its like "why not? its not like they'll be able to find or maintain a 3G signal anyway..."

[Kibbe17 Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:39AM]

Now this is more like it! I have always wondered about using say an iPod touch with a mifi and a voip app, essentialy an iPhone on verizons or even sprints network. Now like many people have said.. The 5gig cap will be a killer and defeat anything there trying to sell.. Remove the cap and boy oh boy..

[EagleyeSmith Posted Mar 10th 2010 1:01AM]

"Verizon MiFi is going to run you $60 a month, twice as much as AT&T will be charging for its dedicated, unlimited iPad plan."

I thought that the iPad Data plan was only going to be $30 for unlimited...I'm pretty sure that it is only $30 a month.

[Johnny Tremaine Posted Mar 10th 2010 1:05AM]

Or I can just use Joikuspot with my E71 thereby making it a Wifi hotspot, on AT&T, and be able to use the Wifi only version of the iPad.

Windows Mobile users on AT&T and T-Mobile can do this as well.

[SC40095 Posted Mar 10th 2010 1:55AM]

Rooted Droid + wifi tether = using the iPad without paying extra

[superstar Posted Mar 10th 2010 2:33AM]

I have a feeling that AT&T's special iPad plan was in exchange for continuing the iPhone's exclusivity, and in that case, it's a good deal. Love it or hate it, the iPhone's exclusivity is why AT&T Mobility is as successful as it is.

Although I have had AT&T (Cingular) for 5 years, and a data plan for two (on a WM 6 device) and have had no problems at all.

[Elranzer Posted Mar 10th 2010 11:45AM]

"Love it or hate it, the iPhone's exclusivity is why AT&T Mobility is as successful as it is."

Hate it or hate it, AT&T's service is the weakest link in the iPhone. Seriously, Apple needs to drop their Nazi-like control fetish and allow other carriers to offer the iPhone.

AT&T also needs another incentive other than "We have the iPhone" to attract customers to their service over others.

[CapnShiner Posted Mar 10th 2010 9:42AM]

All of the previous comments bashing the 5GB cap on Verizon's data plan are assuming that AT&T's "unlimited" data plan for iPad is not capped. I did a little research using just a Google search and I could not confirm one way or the other. AT&T Mobility's website shows that a regular data plan has a 5GB cap. The iPhone data plan, however, seems to have its own unique data plan with no cap. I am not 100% sure on that, but what I read from the Google results seems to support it. It does seem like the iPad unlimited data plan will not have a cap but, until the facts show up on the AT&T site, we will not know for sure. That is a pretty important factor to be assuming.

[jakeh0 Posted Mar 10th 2010 9:45AM]

why is it that iphone users can't just pop their sim card in? i think its pretty shitty that they switched sim formats for the ipad

[CapnShiner Posted Mar 10th 2010 10:13AM]

@jakeh0 I agree that it is pretty shitty, but I bet it is only a matter of time until someone starts selling an adapter that will let you use a microSIM in any regular SIM slot. I imagine something like the microSD to SD card adapters.

[dimithra Posted Mar 10th 2010 10:14AM]

either way. verizon mifi or at&t 3g is fail in all scenarios.. Customer has 2 options. dont buy or just buy the wifi model

[cyberbeach Posted Mar 10th 2010 7:06PM]

I have MiFi and I'm going to buy the iPad WiFi only.

I drive in the car with passengers connecting iPod Touch, 2 iPhones, a MacBook, and soon an iPad.

The MiFi has a strong wireless signal, provides fast internet connections to 5 devices, and has Verizon's coverage map.

My iPhone of course has 3G (and GPS etc.) so when walking about, I would of course use that, not hold an iPad in my hand.

[tombedard Posted Mar 10th 2010 8:03PM]

I'll be returning my Verizon Mi-Fi as soon as I get my 3G iPad. Save $30/month.

[AMMCorp Posted Mar 10th 2010 10:33PM]

Well for those in Sprints 4g community, (Dallas & a few others) I've opted for sprints new 4g UNLIMITED (truly) and it's only $60 plus 3g 5mg is thrown in for good measure. Even if it doesn't run 10x's faster, twice as fast works for me.

[sejohannsenearthlinknet Posted Mar 10th 2010 11:13PM]

Have you guys with 'truly' UNLIMITED data plans actually read your contracts. Not disputing, just asking. (Some oif you may be in Europe)My iPhone contract is 'unlimited' but says if I go over 5G, ATT has the option of charging me for the excess (though a rate isn't in that part of the contract), but they will let me know before they bill me and I have the option to cancel, (with I expect the ETF in the contract). My Wife's Mifi with Verizon has essentially the same wording. Unlimited = 5G. Nobody here has a 3G iPad yet (I would bet), so nobody has a contract to read. If you get one, and 5G/mo is an issue for you, I would suggest you actually read that 3-4 pages of fine print they hand you at the store, before you ASSume unlimited means what Webster says it means.