So I am looking at picking up an iPad mini that is capable of cellular data. I won't always need cellular data, but I want to get one that is capable of it for those times when I need to travel. I don't want to set it up on an ongoing plan because most of the time, it will be at home on WiFi.
Right now, I have Sprint as my iPhone 5 carrier. I read that Sprint has some discount on tablet data plans if you already have a phone with them. However, I am not sure if that only applies to ongoing data plans. I just want to activate it for a month on the few months when I will need it. Can anyone confirm that the discounted plans are available for those that just want to activate it once in a while?
Now, I am not completely certain that I will go with Sprint because, well, Sprint's data speeds are so slow and there is no LTE yet in my area (Los Angeles).
So also in the mix of possibilities is an AT&T or Verizon iPad mini. Even if AT&T 4G were not in my area, there 3G speeds are far superior to Sprint's.
So I guess I have a few questions.
Which carrier would you recommend I get and why?
Is it pretty simple to activate data access and cancel it? I was reading that some people were saying that you have to get a new sim if you don't use a data plan on your Verizon iPad for more than 5 months.
Any time I need a data plan, I want to get at least 1 GB for the month. Which carrier do you think would be the best bang for my buck? From what I can find on their sites (correct me if you know I am incorrect), the following are the cheapest plans for a minimum of 1GB:
AT&T for 3 GB: $30 (probably too expensive so they may be out)
Verizon for 1 GB: $20
Sprint for 1 GB: $15 (if you already have a smartphone with them ... but I am not sure if this is valid the way I want to use it ... plus, their speeds are so much slower)
Before I buy, I will also go to the Apple Store and ask them as well as stop at AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. But any insight you all can give would be appreciated.
Right now, I have Sprint as my iPhone 5 carrier. I read that Sprint has some discount on tablet data plans if you already have a phone with them. However, I am not sure if that only applies to ongoing data plans. I just want to activate it for a month on the few months when I will need it. Can anyone confirm that the discounted plans are available for those that just want to activate it once in a while?
Now, I am not completely certain that I will go with Sprint because, well, Sprint's data speeds are so slow and there is no LTE yet in my area (Los Angeles).
So also in the mix of possibilities is an AT&T or Verizon iPad mini. Even if AT&T 4G were not in my area, there 3G speeds are far superior to Sprint's.
So I guess I have a few questions.
Which carrier would you recommend I get and why?
Is it pretty simple to activate data access and cancel it? I was reading that some people were saying that you have to get a new sim if you don't use a data plan on your Verizon iPad for more than 5 months.
Any time I need a data plan, I want to get at least 1 GB for the month. Which carrier do you think would be the best bang for my buck? From what I can find on their sites (correct me if you know I am incorrect), the following are the cheapest plans for a minimum of 1GB:
AT&T for 3 GB: $30 (probably too expensive so they may be out)
Verizon for 1 GB: $20
Sprint for 1 GB: $15 (if you already have a smartphone with them ... but I am not sure if this is valid the way I want to use it ... plus, their speeds are so much slower)
Before I buy, I will also go to the Apple Store and ask them as well as stop at AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. But any insight you all can give would be appreciated.