Ipad Wi-Fi & 3G

davebalme · 06-16-2010, 05:33 AM

Please excuse my ignorance but I'm thinking of buying an the 3G Ipad configuration in the UK. But I have a question regarding the four provider options (O2, 3, Orange & Vodaphone) ~ if I subscribe to one of these options is it UK specific or could I connect to the internet using the Ipad 3G service outside of the UK for example when on holiday?

Bremen Cole · 06-16-2010, 06:15 AM

I'm not in the UK, but I assume that if your are outside the service area of the provider, you will not get service. If you phone works, than the 3G on the iPad will work. If you have no phone service, than no 3G service for the iPad....

Tim_A · 06-16-2010, 07:03 AM

A contract with one of the UK providers can usually be used for 3G outside the UK ("Roaming"), but it is phenomenally expensive over and above your regular charges.

From reading other forums (my iPad is only WiFi, so I have no direct experience), the 3G in the iPad is 'unlocked', which means that it is not tied to any particular provider. So you can buy and use a cheap Pay As You Go sim from whatever country you're in and use it while you are there. This will be many orders of magnitude cheaper than roaming with your UK provider.

As an example, 3 charges £1.25 per MB for roaming in ROI and Europe, £3 per MB for USA, Australia, Japan, South Africa, plus some others, and £6 per MB "rest of the world".

You will also need to purchase a pair of scissors (or remember to pack some in non-carryon luggage) to cut down the sim to the smaller size the iPad needs.

amjbrown · 06-16-2010, 07:27 AM

Vodafone UK have just told me it is £4.99 per 25mb chunk in Europe.

Testing it tomorrow!

amjb

HarryT · 06-16-2010, 07:28 AM

The only UK iPad provider who currently has roaming capability is Orange. They charge £3 per MB for Europe, £6.50 for the rest of the world.

HarryT · 06-16-2010, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amjbrown

Vodafone UK have just told me it is £4.99 per 25mb chunk in Europe.

Testing it tomorrow!

amjb

For the iPad? They told me that roaming wasn't possible!

davebalme · 06-16-2010, 07:38 AM

Many sincere thanks for all your help ~ I think it will be just the WiFi option for me.

HarryT · 06-16-2010, 07:40 AM

The 3G option is very, very useful, Dave. Personally I think it's well worth paying the extra for.

stustaff · 06-16-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The 3G option is very, very useful, Dave. Personally I think it's well worth paying the extra for.

that depends linking to an android phone or jaibroken iPhone is also simple and discounts the need for a second plan and gets you a cheaper device with all of teh same functionality.

Sischa · 06-16-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The 3G option is very, very useful, Dave. Personally I think it's well worth paying the extra for.

I think going with a WiFi only version + a good MiFi is the better way.

I love my Mifi it provides me internet access for up to 5 devices, it build up a network wherever i need it for up to 5 devices i can insert a SD card up to 32GB and get a network drive of 32GB which i can also use with the iPad.

Besides that you are not restricted to one provider you can always get a prepaid SIM card of the country you visit.

And last but not least with the new iPhone4 upcoming featuring video calls just over WiFi i have no problem cause i can always use it with my MiFi.

I love this thing and i would never EVER prefer a UMTS iPad over a MiFi.

scottjl · 06-16-2010, 11:02 AM

i am quite happy with my wifi only version as i have several options for wifi access. my only wish was that it had GPS built in. it's unfortunate apple tied that to having 3g. i know there are jailbreak options for using a bluetooth gpsr, i just haven't gone that route yet.

HarryT · 06-16-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sischa

I think going with a WiFi only version + a good MiFi is the better way.

It's another device to carry around, keep charged, etc. With my 3G iPad, I know that I can get online anywhere with it on its own.

"MyFi" are good, to be sure; I just prefer the "all in one" convenience of the 3G iPad.

Maggie Leung · 06-16-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's another device to carry around, keep charged, etc. With my 3G iPad, I know that I can get online anywhere with it on its own.

"MyFi" are good, to be sure; I just prefer the "all in one" convenience of the 3G iPad.

Me, too. I'd like to pay less, of course, but I love the flexibility and convenience. When good wi-fi is available, I take advantage. I like having 3G for elsewhere.

mgmueller · 06-16-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

For the iPad? They told me that roaming wasn't possible!

I have no idea, whether that's correct. If so, it would be a serious showstopper.
Because of all these information gaps, I went for the WiFi only version. I either tether to my iPhone or my MiFi. Works perfectly fine.

06-16-2010, 05:33 AM	#1
davebalme Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Yorkshire Device: Pocketbook 360, Ipad, Kobo Wireless, Archos 70b & 80G9. And a Kobo Arc	Ipad Wi-Fi & 3G Please excuse my ignorance but I'm thinking of buying an the 3G Ipad configuration in the UK. But I have a question regarding the four provider options (O2, 3, Orange & Vodaphone) ~ if I subscribe to one of these options is it UK specific or could I connect to the internet using the Ipad 3G service outside of the UK for example when on holiday?

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06-16-2010, 06:15 AM	#2
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	I'm not in the UK, but I assume that if your are outside the service area of the provider, you will not get service. If you phone works, than the 3G on the iPad will work. If you have no phone service, than no 3G service for the iPad....

06-16-2010, 07:03 AM	#3
Tim_A Member Posts: 17 Karma: 36 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England. Near the station. Device: Ipad, PRS-600	A contract with one of the UK providers can usually be used for 3G outside the UK ("Roaming"), but it is phenomenally expensive over and above your regular charges. From reading other forums (my iPad is only WiFi, so I have no direct experience), the 3G in the iPad is 'unlocked', which means that it is not tied to any particular provider. So you can buy and use a cheap Pay As You Go sim from whatever country you're in and use it while you are there. This will be many orders of magnitude cheaper than roaming with your UK provider. As an example, 3 charges £1.25 per MB for roaming in ROI and Europe, £3 per MB for USA, Australia, Japan, South Africa, plus some others, and £6 per MB "rest of the world". You will also need to purchase a pair of scissors (or remember to pack some in non-carryon luggage) to cut down the sim to the smaller size the iPad needs.

06-16-2010, 07:27 AM	#4
amjbrown Addict Posts: 322 Karma: 1231044 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London, UK Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle app on the iPhone	Vodafone UK have just told me it is £4.99 per 25mb chunk in Europe. Testing it tomorrow! amjb

06-16-2010, 07:28 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The only UK iPad provider who currently has roaming capability is Orange. They charge £3 per MB for Europe, £6.50 for the rest of the world.

06-16-2010, 07:38 AM	#7
davebalme Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Yorkshire Device: Pocketbook 360, Ipad, Kobo Wireless, Archos 70b & 80G9. And a Kobo Arc	Many sincere thanks for all your help ~ I think it will be just the WiFi option for me.

06-16-2010, 07:40 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The 3G option is very, very useful, Dave. Personally I think it's well worth paying the extra for.

06-16-2010, 11:02 AM	#11
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	i am quite happy with my wifi only version as i have several options for wifi access. my only wish was that it had GPS built in. it's unfortunate apple tied that to having 3g. i know there are jailbreak options for using a bluetooth gpsr, i just haven't gone that route yet.