I purchased the Verizon model because I wanted to be able to use the iPad as a router when I traveled so that the rest of my family could get wifi in case there was no wifi in the hotel or it was too costly. Everything was great, but then, in July, I wanted to stop the cell service until I needed it again. The process was unclear and I ended up deactivating the iPad. I called CS and after an hour on the phone with them, went to the local Verizon store. We called CS together as they did not know what to do. An hour later, the guy at the Verizon store told me to leave my iPad with him and he would figure it out. I did and two days later, he did fix it! New SIM card, ability to get on prepaid plan again. No activation or other fees. No charge for the SIM card.
So, I used the cell service again in August and then was afraid to stop it for fear of the same problem. I finally took the plunge yesterday and there was only one option - to delete the account. I thought there were supposed to be two options - I was afraid deleting the account would deactivate everything again. Before I took the plunge, I called CS and they said this was the way to do it and that my account and cell number would remain active. I went ahead and did it rather than continuing to pay $20 per month for service I did not need and, lo and behold, it is completely deactivated again. I am presuming ATT does not have the same issue as I have seen no comments about it but have seen many others having this issue with Verizon. My iphone is with ATT and I have had so much better service with them.
We are supposed to be able to use the cell service on a pre-paid basis when we want and this is not what Verizon is allowing us to do. Once we activate the pre-paid, we can change the service, but we can't stop it temporarily. Yes, I know I can buy a SIM card off ebay, but I should not have to. If I want to turn it on and off 5 times a year and have to pay $6 per SIM card, that is $30 per year I should not have to be spending. All Verizon has to do is have an option that is clearly indicated to either deactivate or to suspend.
So, I used the cell service again in August and then was afraid to stop it for fear of the same problem. I finally took the plunge yesterday and there was only one option - to delete the account. I thought there were supposed to be two options - I was afraid deleting the account would deactivate everything again. Before I took the plunge, I called CS and they said this was the way to do it and that my account and cell number would remain active. I went ahead and did it rather than continuing to pay $20 per month for service I did not need and, lo and behold, it is completely deactivated again. I am presuming ATT does not have the same issue as I have seen no comments about it but have seen many others having this issue with Verizon. My iphone is with ATT and I have had so much better service with them.
We are supposed to be able to use the cell service on a pre-paid basis when we want and this is not what Verizon is allowing us to do. Once we activate the pre-paid, we can change the service, but we can't stop it temporarily. Yes, I know I can buy a SIM card off ebay, but I should not have to. If I want to turn it on and off 5 times a year and have to pay $6 per SIM card, that is $30 per year I should not have to be spending. All Verizon has to do is have an option that is clearly indicated to either deactivate or to suspend.