Did anyone else's iPad come with this in it?

ssindi said:

I bought an iPad 3G from a third party seller, although the box was sealed and the plastic was still on the iPad, there was an AT&T Micro Sim already inside it!

Maybe it's AT&T's way of making sure you already have a Micro Sim to activate a data plan on it? I hope the item was in fact new as advertised and the seller didn't forget his Micro Sim in it.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

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It is there so that you can activate your data plan straightaway. Apple has included Sim cards with all the iPhones and iPads

Apple don't ship with sim's outside of the US I guess. Us UK people have to get given one separately.

No free sim here in Australia. We have to go buy ours but we have a choice of 5 or 6 carriers.

ssindi said:

I don't live in the US either, which is why that Micro Sim is going straight into the bin.

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You may want to hang on to it just in case you or someone you know ever plan to go to the US. Then you would already have it.

Mine from Best Buy had the SIM already installed.

aimee25 said:

No free sim here in Australia. We have to go buy ours but we have a choice of 5 or 6 carriers.

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Your SIM doesn't come free from your carrier?

darngooddesign said:

Your SIM doesn't come free from your carrier?

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As he notes, there are multiple carriers in some (many) foreign countries, ergo no included SIMs. Just us in the US.

Apple officially supports 4 carriers in the UK. We don't have to pay for SIMs.

poloponies said:

As he notes, there are multiple carriers in some (many) foreign countries, ergo no included SIMs. Just us in the US.

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I got that part, but what I thought was implied was a SIM cost in addition to the data plan cost.

darngooddesign said:

I got that part, but what I thought was implied was a SIM cost in addition to the data plan cost.

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SIMS are free or nearly so once you go with a plan.

ssindi said:

I don't live in the US either, which is why that Micro Sim is going straight into the bin.

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When you buy an iPad through the UK Apple store, you have the option to pick a network. Apple ship a sim for that network with your iPad, but in a separate packet (at least they did with my Three sim).

darngooddesign said:

Your SIM doesn't come free from your carrier?

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Nope, mine cost be ten bucks at telstra.

Vodafone NZ has announced that all iPads intended for New Zealand will come with a micro SIM.

Ciclismo said:

Vodafone NZ has announced that all iPads intended for New Zealand will come with a micro SIM.

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Hey if you get a 3G can you let me know that the data plans are like, I have to spend a month or two down there over summer. Save me looking into it.

Fresh out today ~ iPads tomorrow.
http://www.vodafone.co.nz/ipad/

If you are travelling around New Zealand check out the options on Telecom XT as the coverage is better generally and especially on the iPad. XT haven't finalised their plans yet but worth checking out early August.
http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/mobilebroadband/plansandpricing

I am 100% mobile on a Telecom XT mobile data plan for the internet for my Mac and iPad.. (3G wireless router)

aimee25 said:

Hey if you get a 3G can you let me know that the data plans are like, I have to spend a month or two down there over summer. Save me looking into it.

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Alpha - $20 per month for 250MB
Extreme - $50per month for 3GB

Pretty awful though is this under terms and conditions

those cocks at Vodafone NZ in their T&Cs said:

3. Upon exhaustion of the data Add-On, Vodafone will disconnect access to data, unless another data Add-On is purchased.

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http://help.vodafone.co.nz/app/answers/detail/a_id/11290

I dunno what Telecom is offering yet - they won't have an iPad specific plan or a micro SIM until August - but chances are that it will be about the same. The upshot is that you can probably use Telecom's hotspots too, but that has to be finalised yet. Also 2degrees, another network that is still in its infancy here in NZ, has mentioned that they will also offer an iPad specific data only plan, but they are keeping their lips shut tight about any details.

You'll want to check these three just before you come over:

http://www.vodafone.co.nz
http://www.telecom.co.nz
http://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz

Thanks heaps guys for all your info, you have both been really helpful. Sorry to everyone else for hijacking the thread Can't believe what you guys have to pay- even the prepaid stuff here $10 for a gig and it only gets better the more you buy.

Just for those interested: in the UK PC World are plugging Three Mobile and give out Three micro-sims with iPads

I'd rather pay a few bucks for a SIM card but have a choice of carriers.