Carrier Questions

[WT Sharpe]

Let's get real. What's the REAL cost of cellular service for an iPad?

Sure, I could look at the various plans offered by at&t, Sprint, and verizon; but it's always been my experience with communications companies that what they advertise and the amount you write on the monthly check frequently have little in common. So with that in mind, I'd like to hear your answers to three questions:
• Who do you use for you cellular provider?
• How much do you pay per month?
• How do like the service?

[Faterson]

Depends on the country where you live, but I'd like to point out it's not strictly necessary to have the 4G/3G version of the iPad to be able to use it online while on the go. If you also have an iPhone, activating it as a mobile WiFi hotspot is a matter of pushing a button, and you can then go online on the iPad using your phone's, not your iPad's cellular service. This has worked reliably for me.

[wannabee]

In Australia I use Telstra. I use my iPhone as a hotspot and connect the ipad with Bluetooth.
The plan I have is $79 per month for 24 months includes the iPhone. Includes $500 calls at 35c flag fall and 90c minute. Unlimited SMS and 1.5 gig data. For $100 you get unlimited calls as well.
There are much cheaper rates here but I think you get what you pay for.
I haven't had a hic-up yet so I would give them 4 1/2 out of 5. I get a call from them every now and then and they go through all the services I have and work out if I'm on the right plan for what we use.

[vxf]

I have a Verizon plan. Unlimited minutes and messages (I think... I don't use messages...), 6gb of data shared across three 4g devices (iphone, ipad, ipad mini). I get some workplace discount (18% on my monthly bill, I think).
I pay $145 per month.
Not sure how. I add all the charges I should be paying and it should be less. But there are hidden fees, taxes, etc.
It's not cheap. But 4g is fast, coverage is good, 6gb of data is good for a boring bastard like me that watches very little video. Plus I have wifi at work and home... so I actually usually hit 2-3 gb per month.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by vxf

I have a Verizon plan. Unlimited minutes and messages (I think... I don't use messages...), 6gb of data shared across three 4g devices (iphone, ipad, ipad mini). I get some workplace discount (18% on my monthly bill, I think).
I pay $145 per month.
Not sure how. I add all the charges I should be paying and it should be less. But there are hidden fees, taxes, etc.
It's not cheap. But 4g is fast, coverage is good, 6gb of data is good for a boring bastard like me that watches very little video. Plus I have wifi at work and home... so I actually usually hit 2-3 gb per month.

Now that's what I'm talking about, although that doesn't sound too far removed from what they advertise. According to this page, Verizon's "Share Everything Unlimited Minutes & Messaging - 6GB Data" plan is $120.00.

[vxf]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Now that's what I'm talking about, although that doesn't sound too far removed from what they advertise. According to this page, Verizon's "Share Everything Unlimited Minutes & Messaging - 6GB Data" plan is $120.00.

Yes - but you forget I get 18% off.
So I was expecting $100 or so.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by vxf

Yes - but you forget I get 18% off.
So I was expecting $100 or so.

New math.

[vxf]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

New math.

You mean Verizon's math?
In that case, I agree...

Or you mean my expectation?
It's probably a bit below $100, but not far...
Ok, fine, i'll stop being lazy. It's $98.40

[WT Sharpe]

Of course I meant Verizon's math, but it's really the math of all communications companies. There are always hidden fees, it seems.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Let's get real. What's the REAL cost of cellular service for an iPad?

Sure, I could look at the various plans offered by at&t, Sprint, and verizon; but it's always been my experience with communications companies that what they advertise and the amount you write on the monthly check frequently have little in common. So with that in mind, I'd like to hear your answers to three questions:
• Who do you use for you cellular provider?
• How much do you pay per month?
• How do like the service?

-Verizon
-20 bucks
-Good

I used it at work, to check personal stuff like bank accounts. I also download books from Amazon

I use average, 40 MB per day. Weekends I barely use the 4G signal as I'm at home or close to wifi.

At the beginning, I had a 2GB plan, reduced it in Jan to 1GB and it's prepaid, no contracts.

[WT Sharpe]

Those Verizon prepaid plans look to be about the best ones I've seen. I'm currently using a $20 prepaid Virgin hotspot with my original flavor iPad, but it's only 3G and limited to 500 MB/month.

When I take the plunge to the next gen iPad, that's the route I'll probably go.

Thanks, jocampo!

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Of course I meant Verizon's math, but it's really the math of all communications companies. There are always hidden fees, it seems.

In the US it is customary to exclude taxes on all product pricing, except Gasoline.

Dale

[Wickedkitten]

With 3 in the UK, tethering to an android mobile

£15 for unlimited data, 300 minutes, and 5000 texts

Great

[ApK]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

In the US it is customary to exclude taxes on all product pricing, except Gasoline.

Dale

Yes, funny that.
But gas is also the only product that lists its price down to the tenth of a cent, so they can display the 9 tenths in small print, making the gas look a penny cheaper per gallon than it really is.
It seems like marketeers won't keep their jobs unless they find a way to hide true cost in SOME way.

Communication companies have the added out being able to shift the blame to various government-imposed fees aside from normal taxes.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Wickedkitten

With 3 in the UK, tethering to an android mobile

£15 for unlimited data, 300 minutes, and 5000 texts

Great

Wish we had that deal here. That's not bad. Not bad at all.