01-08-2013, 04:30 PM | #1 |
Bah, humbug!
Posts: 39,073
Karma: 157049943
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA
Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.
|
Carrier Questions
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? |
01-08-2013, 06:08 PM | #2 |
pokrývač škridiel
Posts: 1,525
Karma: 3300000
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Device: 3*iPad, SamsungNote & Tabs, 2*OnyxBoox, Huawei 8″, PocketBook
|
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.
|
01-10-2013, 07:29 AM | #3 |
Media Bloke
Posts: 2,381
Karma: 113956855
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NSW - Australia
Device: iOS
|
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. Last edited by wannabee; 01-10-2013 at 07:34 AM. Reason: Answer if I like it. |
01-11-2013, 07:53 PM | #4 |
Guru
Posts: 944
Karma: 1490348
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Norman, OK
Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One
|
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. |
01-11-2013, 10:35 PM | #5 | |
Bah, humbug!
Posts: 39,073
Karma: 157049943
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA
Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.
|
Quote:
|
|
01-12-2013, 03:30 PM | #6 | |
Guru
Posts: 944
Karma: 1490348
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Norman, OK
Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One
|
Quote:
So I was expecting $100 or so. |
|
01-12-2013, 03:44 PM | #7 |
Bah, humbug!
Posts: 39,073
Karma: 157049943
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA
Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.
|
|
01-12-2013, 08:56 PM | #8 |
Guru
Posts: 944
Karma: 1490348
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Norman, OK
Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One
|
|
01-13-2013, 02:15 AM | #9 |
Bah, humbug!
Posts: 39,073
Karma: 157049943
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA
Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.
|
Of course I meant Verizon's math, but it's really the math of all communications companies. There are always hidden fees, it seems.
|
01-13-2013, 09:24 AM | #10 | |
Layback feline
Posts: 3,034
Karma: 6980745
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"
|
Quote:
-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. |
|
01-13-2013, 09:47 AM | #11 |
Bah, humbug!
Posts: 39,073
Karma: 157049943
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA
Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.
|
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! |
01-13-2013, 04:30 PM | #12 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 11,470
Karma: 13095790
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Grass Valley, CA
Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7
|
|
01-15-2013, 10:11 AM | #13 |
Member
Posts: 24
Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Device: iPad Pro
|
With 3 in the UK, tethering to an android mobile
£15 for unlimited data, 300 minutes, and 5000 texts Great |
01-15-2013, 11:00 AM | #14 | |
Award-Winning Participant
Posts: 7,312
Karma: 67862884
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ, USA
Device: Kindle
|
Quote:
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. |
|
01-15-2013, 11:42 AM | #15 |
Bah, humbug!
Posts: 39,073
Karma: 157049943
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA
Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Carrier billing in Google Play with the eDGe? | pumana | enTourage eDGe | 9 | 07-06-2012 06:40 PM |
PCWorld: Android Market-Pros and Cons of Carrier Billing | kjk | Android Devices | 3 | 07-26-2010 07:06 PM |
Classic Use non-AT&T carrier outside US? | bthoven | Barnes & Noble NOOK | 27 | 02-20-2010 06:26 AM |
Classic B&N shipping carrier | Indiana Jones | Barnes & Noble NOOK | 1 | 12-13-2009 06:32 PM |
New Tom Bihn Kindle 2 (or other) Carrier Pouch | brecklundin | News | 1 | 09-12-2009 01:53 PM |