iPad Mini: AT&T vs. Verizon iPad Mini LTE?

[stevegm]

I have read that the supply of AT&T iPad Minis may be a little constrained. That leaves me with a dilemma. If all that is available tomorrow is Verizon, do I go ahead and buy it? Or wait until I can get an AT&T unit?

I have AT&T phone service. But, I have an unlimited data plan on the iPhone 5, so I do not use a shared data plan. Rather, I will just be paying for a data plan for the iPad Mini separately. I will use it for various uses, including Talkatone (for Google Voice - as a primary phone). I live in a major city so coverage is unlikely to be a major issue.

Anyone else have experience with choosing between AT&T and Verizon in this context? Opinions?

[kevroc]

Originally Posted by stevegm

I have read that the supply of AT&T iPad Minis may be a little constrained. That leaves me with a dilemma. If all that is available tomorrow is Verizon, do I go ahead and buy it? Or wait until I can get an AT&T unit?

I have AT&T phone service. But, I have an unlimited data plan on the iPhone 5, so I do not use a shared data plan. Rather, I will just be paying for a data plan for the iPad Mini separately. I will use it for various uses, including Talkatone (for Google Voice - as a primary phone). I live in a major city so coverage is unlikely to be a major issue.

Anyone else have experience with choosing between AT&T and Verizon in this context? Opinions?

Yeah, same boat. Although made worse for me because I also have an unlimited data plan from my original AT&T iPad.

I ended up going with Verizon, almost pains me to say it. I've never been a Verizon fan and have been with AT&T for a long, long time. But the one thing that really ticked me off what that Verizon offers tethering with their iPad data plan and AT&T doesn't (unless you go to their $50/month plan) which is ridiculous. I don't need to tether much, but when I do I really do. So going with Verizon and getting their $20/month 1GB which includes tethering is a pretty good deal for me. I also learned that I can use my AT&T Sim card in the Verizon iPad and still get 3G service.

So as much as I would normally just get AT&T iPad again, after some detailed review, it looks like Verizon is a better overall solution for me.

[stevegm]

Originally Posted by stevegm

I have read that the supply of AT&T iPad Minis may be a little constrained. That leaves me with a dilemma. If all that is available tomorrow is Verizon, do I go ahead and buy it? Or wait until I can get an AT&T unit?

I have AT&T phone service. But, I have an unlimited data plan on the iPhone 5, so I do not use a shared data plan. Rather, I will just be paying for a data plan for the iPad Mini separately. I will use it for various uses, including Talkatone (for Google Voice - as a primary phone). I live in a major city so coverage is unlikely to be a major issue.

Anyone else have experience with choosing between AT&T and Verizon in this context? Opinions?

Originally Posted by kevroc

Yeah, same boat. Although made worse for me because I also have an unlimited data plan from my original AT&T iPad.

I ended up going with Verizon, almost pains me to say it. I've never been a Verizon fan and have been with AT&T for a long, long time. But the one thing that really ticked me off what that Verizon offers tethering with their iPad data plan and AT&T doesn't (unless you go to their $50/month plan) which is ridiculous. I don't need to tether much, but when I do I really do. So going with Verizon and getting their $20/month 1GB which includes tethering is a pretty good deal for me. I also learned that I can use my AT&T Sim card in the Verizon iPad and still get 3G service.

So as much as I would normally just get AT&T iPad again, after some detailed review, it looks like Verizon is a better overall solution for me.

Thanks. It sounds like we are in a similar situation. I know that with the iPhone a large downside to Verizon (for me anyway) is that you can't talk and use data at the same time. Are there any limitations from a usability standpoint to the stand alone data plans at Verizon vs. AT&T?

[einmusiker]

I've been told to go with verizon because you can also use ATT sim card in it

[stevegm]

Originally Posted by einmusiker

I've been told to go with verizon because you can also use ATT sim card in it

So you can put an AT&T sim card in it and use at as an AT&T unit? With LTE and 3G?

[aka777]

Originally Posted by einmusiker

I've been told to go with verizon because you can also use ATT sim card in it

Yep. Plus global LTE frequencies + facetime over LTE + free hotspot.

Verizon's CS is consistently ranked #1, while AT&T is ranked dead last. After wasting 4 days and having to speak with 7 people, to try to get an iphone 5 activated, I now understand why. AT&T is great until you have an issue. Then it's like dealing with a cable company.

[einmusiker]

Originally Posted by stevegm

So you can put an AT&T sim card in it and use at as an AT&T unit? With LTE and 3G?

I'm not sure if you get LTE but you do get HSPA+ aka 3.5G which is pretty fast

[aka777]

The fact that they pretend their HSPA+ is 4G , while it's slow compared to Tmobile's HSPA, is so typical of AT&T.

They're right up there with cable companies.

[Medic311]

Verizon. they will have rolled out their entire LTE network by June 2013. that's only 7 months away.
when i say total network, i mean everywhere they had 3G coverage it will be LTE. impressive


AT&T just only switched on LTE in Philadelphia in September. they aren't even beyond a 30mins drive outside of the city yet

[macleod644]

So let me get this straight - you can use an AT&T SIM card in a Verizon iPad , AND u get LTE? How is that? I would think you only get 3G, I'm pretty sure u only get 3G. But can u still do FaceTime over Cellular if its not LTE Cellular?

[einmusiker]

I live in the boondocks 90 miles outside NYC and have verizon LTE. It's great unlmtd data and free wifi hotspot from my ipad 3 I don't even pay for home internet

[NateEssex]

Originally Posted by kevroc

Yeah, same boat. Although made worse for me because I also have an unlimited data plan from my original AT&T iPad.

I ended up going with Verizon, almost pains me to say it. I've never been a Verizon fan and have been with AT&T for a long, long time. But the one thing that really ticked me off what that Verizon offers tethering with their iPad data plan and AT&T doesn't (unless you go to their $50/month plan) which is ridiculous. I don't need to tether much, but when I do I really do. So going with Verizon and getting their $20/month 1GB which includes tethering is a pretty good deal for me. I also learned that I can use my AT&T Sim card in the Verizon iPad and still get 3G service.

So as much as I would normally just get AT&T iPad again, after some detailed review, it looks like Verizon is a better overall solution for me.

Yup, same story for me. I got the 32 Gig iPad mini on Verizon. I tried out the tethering with my daughter's ipod and it worked fine.

Also, when I go to certain areas my AT&T iPhone doesn't work. So now I'll have Verizon to get reception in more areas.

[Preds]

Originally Posted by kevroc

Yeah, same boat. Although made worse for me because I also have an unlimited data plan from my original AT&T iPad.

I ended up going with Verizon, almost pains me to say it. I've never been a Verizon fan and have been with AT&T for a long, long time. But the one thing that really ticked me off what that Verizon offers tethering with their iPad data plan and AT&T doesn't (unless you go to their $50/month plan) which is ridiculous. I don't need to tether much, but when I do I really do. So going with Verizon and getting their $20/month 1GB which includes tethering is a pretty good deal for me. I also learned that I can use my AT&T Sim card in the Verizon iPad and still get 3G service.

So as much as I would normally just get AT&T iPad again, after some detailed review, it looks like Verizon is a better overall solution for me.

Ditto.

I have AT&T unlimited on my iPhone, so no hotspot. When I learned AT&T's iPad data plan didn't include the hotspot free that was a deal breaker, even though AT&T gave 1gb more for data for $30.

As another poster stated, I also like that between the 2 devices and different networks I have a decent chance of having decent speed for data, not to mention WIFI access from hotspots for both networks.

[aka777]

Originally Posted by macleod644

So let me get this straight - you can use an AT&T SIM card in a Verizon iPad , AND u get LTE? How is that? I would think you only get 3G, I'm pretty sure u only get 3G. But can u still do FaceTime over Cellular if its not LTE Cellular?

An AT&T sim will not be able to get LTE on the Verizon model. However, the full HSPA+ 3.5G will work, as will Tmobile and their 42MB/s HSPA, once they fire up 1.9Ghz in your area. The Verizon is an international model, so it will also work on foreign LT networks.

The facetime and hotspot feature are carrier related, something AT&T is restricting to certain plans.

----------

Originally Posted by Preds

As another poster stated, I also like that between the 2 devices and different networks I have a decent chance of having decent speed for data, not to mention WIFI access from hotspots for both networks.

100% agree. You get the best of two separate networks.

[romeo.xk]

As some here, I also have ATT's iPhone, and have the unlimited data, but I ended up getting the Verizon version, only because that is all that was available, I figure I can always change it later on.

[BiggAW]

AT&T iPhone with simultaneous voice and data plus Verizon iPad with hotpsot is the best combo. Plus, then if one network is on the the fritz, you can get online with the other...

[panzer06]

Verizon all the way. Much better and free tethering!

Cheers,

[arom]

Now I thought I read somewhere that the Verizon SIM becomes deactivated if you don't use it for more then 5 months? Meaning you have to get a new SIM card after it becomes deactivated? Is that still the case?

[DarkAether]

From what I've read, it's no longer an issue with IOS 6. Those supposedly "wiped" SIMs magically started working for folks again after the update.

[sno1man]

But has anyone here actually tried using an AT&T sim in a Verizon iPad Mini ?

I'm well aware that it works with the iPhone 5, but I'm trying it right now with a known good AT&T sim and it's not working in my iPad mini.

I get the bars and the AT&T logo in the upper left, but the iPad tells me I don't have an internet connection when I do anything like use Safari

[E3BK]

Originally Posted by stevegm

I have read that the supply of AT&T iPad Minis may be a little constrained. That leaves me with a dilemma. If all that is available tomorrow is Verizon, do I go ahead and buy it? Or wait until I can get an AT&T unit?

I have AT&T phone service. But, I have an unlimited data plan on the iPhone 5, so I do not use a shared data plan. Rather, I will just be paying for a data plan for the iPad Mini separately. I will use it for various uses, including Talkatone (for Google Voice - as a primary phone). I live in a major city so coverage is unlikely to be a major issue.

Anyone else have experience with choosing between AT&T and Verizon in this context? Opinions?

I also have a grandfathered iPhone Unlimited plan with AT&T that I don't plan on giving up. Ever. lol.

But I did go with Verizon service for my iPad Mini for the following reasons:

1) I travel internationally often and would like to be able to get LTE service in some areas (though I know it will likely be 3G in most due to mess that is LTE).

2) Hotspot is available on the VZW pre-paid plans. I don't think it's available on AT&T, but don't quote me. I went with the $30/2GB plan.

3) I have noticed enough times where my AT&T service is low, friends with VZW service are fine. And vice-versa. I figure, I will hopefully always have 1 or the other.

[reckless2k2]

I have an unlimited AT&T iPhone 5 and decided to get a Verizon Mini. I have an iPad 2 with AT&T but have had problems on the go certain places with iPad and iPhone not working due to AT&T coverage in some places. When it works, it's great. When it doesn't, it stinks.

So I figured this time around I'd get a Verizon iPad mini so I have the best of both. Hopefully. Verizon LTE is slower that AT&T LTE in my area. Trade off.

Also, I live in Yardley and AT&T LTE has been here since iPhone 5 launch. All up and all around here. I was in Willow Grove. King of Prussia. Newtown. Etc. LTE is all around here since iPhone 5 launch to the persons point.

[Scott6666]

I have the ATT unlimited plan and I'm staying with ATT. It works fine in my area so why try something that may or may not work as well. Also I have a 3 and a mini and I'm not sure which will end up getting the unlimited plan. The concept now is to move the unlimited to the mini which I expect will be more mobile than the 3. I've tended to keep the iPad at home but with the size of the mini I anticipate that it should get the unlimited plan.

So purely for the ability to bounce the plan back and forth between the devices I'm staying ATT. Would like a hotspot but have lived without it. When I'm ready to let the unlimited plan lapse (which I really should), maybe then I go to Verizon. My guess is when the iPad mini Retina comes out I'll know my patterns better.

Also, I am reluctant to give up HSPA+. It works well where there is no LTE. I think I would not enjoy Verizon 3G.

[Renjo2007]

I just tried my att nano simcard with unlimited data on my mini verizon but it doesnt work. The signal bars is showing no coverage then att 4g signal but when i try to surf the web,safari says no connection. Anyone tried this also?

[awb]

I became impatient and got the Verizon mini today. My order for the AT&T mini delivery date is Dec 10. I hope I don't regret getting Verizon. My phone is At&T. I live in AR. Anyone else from AR?