I know this thread is about the iPad, but I just wish ATT would allow the iPhone to be a hotspot with the 3GB data plan. I'm paying for the limited data, who cares how I use it? There is not a tethering charge, but why is it only available with the higher data plan? I don't necessarily want or NEED to go over 3GB, even with tethering. I'm going to get throttled if I use too much one way or the other.
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Verizon Including Mobile Hotspot in iPad Data Plans at No Additional Charge
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Technically launch is in 8 days, so it can still be figured out before then. I think you mean that it should have been figured out before the announcement.
I wish I could, but here in South Florida, there are lots of areas with terrible Verizon 3G coverage, now imagine 4G!
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iPads are cool, but honestly between my MacBook Air and my iPhone 4S I really have no need for one. Why can't this be true for smartphones as well? haha idevice descrimination...
iPads are cool, but honestly between my MacBook Air and my iPhone 4S I really have no need for one. Why can't this be true for smartphones as well? haha idevice descrimination...
IMHO, this is a big enough issue that AT&T better step up to the plate or they will lose A LOT of potential and current customers!
I think the difference is that the iPad isn't subsidized. This finally seems to be a case where the carriers are taking that into consideration, even if only a little bit, when pricing data. Since they pay $400 to Apple upfront for the iPhone, they want to make that back by nickel and diming customers on messaging and data. With the iPad, they just provide the wireless service and the customer picks up the tab for the device.
Here in Canada
When IOS devices first came out, I thought we had it bad here in Canada:
-we had to wait for the 3G iPhone before we could even get one'
-we have to get 3 year contracts for the same subsidised price the Americans pay,
-a 5GB plan costs $100/month.
BUT...
-Rogers gives free included tethering (dunno about Telus or Bell, the other 2 national carrieres)
-All 3 carriers (which we've had on iPhone since 3GS) offer data sharing with other devices; no charge (at least it WAS no charge a few months ago).
-Data plans: $15 (250MB) - $35 (5GB). Telus has a betweenie plan for half a gig at $20.
Guess we don't have it so bad after all.
When IOS devices first came out, I thought we had it bad here in Canada:
-we had to wait for the 3G iPhone before we could even get one'
-we have to get 3 year contracts for the same subsidised price the Americans pay,
-a 5GB plan costs $100/month.
BUT...
-Rogers gives free included tethering (dunno about Telus or Bell, the other 2 national carrieres)
-All 3 carriers (which we've had on iPhone since 3GS) offer data sharing with other devices; no charge (at least it WAS no charge a few months ago).
-Data plans: $15 (250MB) - $35 (5GB). Telus has a betweenie plan for half a gig at $20.
Guess we don't have it so bad after all.
Best news I heard today.... 1GB plan for $20 remains and ALL Verizon plans get the tethering option. I expected both AT&T and Verizon to offer it on the $50 plan. Not only did AT&T fail to make that commitment (outright preventing tethering), Verizon came through with offering tethering on all plans.
Good to see a carrier doing the right thing. Nice job Verizon.
Also: Verizon has the best LTE coverage too (probably why they can do this -- AT&T is afraid to bog down their 3G network).
Good to see a carrier doing the right thing. Nice job Verizon.
Also: Verizon has the best LTE coverage too (probably why they can do this -- AT&T is afraid to bog down their 3G network).
Verizon's web page does not list this feature here and I just finished a chat with customer service rep who said other tablets but not the iPad has the hotspot feature. She specifically had to take a few minutes to find out. If Verizon is allowing this, it's a well guarded secret. And they've lost at least one sale.
I decided i was going to get an AT&T model but now I'm leaning towards the Verizon. Another thing is how fast it will be, I wonder who will be faster AT&T or Verizon? Ahh decisions 
An extra charge for tethering made some sense on unlimited plans. On capped plans not only is it disingenuous to tout it as a carrier feature (it was apple after all who developed the hardware, software, and the feature in general) but just robbery if they charge extra for it (assuming you don't get any more data allowance). Heck, they are stupid to charge for it, ever. If i was the carrier I would make it as easy as possible to consume all of your data.
Same here. I just changed an order to a Verizon version specifically because 1gb is enough for me off-Wifi. Snooze you lose AT&T, 250mb is just pathetic.
the new iPad (3rd generation) was only announced yesterday, customer service reps probably have no info about it yet.
I'm on Bell and tethering is included. I'm paying $25 for 500 MB on top of my $30 voice plan, so $55 total.
Sadly, I can't share data between my iPad and iPhone unless I buy a special plan. I use my iPad exclusivley on WiFi in Canada with the odd bit of tethering, and only use 3G (on AT&T) when I vacation in the US.
These data plans are all ridiculously expensive, unless it was absolutely needed for work I don't see how they would be worth it for most people. Having an iPhone means that there is free internet access through most wi-fi outlets at restaurants and coffee shops already. The average amount of data used by iPhones owners is under 300MB per month, it makes you wonder if there is really a reason for people to be spending $600 a year for data access on their iPads.
I've watched people get over 20Mbps indoors in downtown Minneapolis on their phones. Of course, location is everything.
It never seems to be on the Apple website, but it is on the VZW website. Has been since the beginning, I think.
So what i should give props for something that comon sense dictates as something that makes sense, is logical.
Then they're incompetent. They have a new web page devoted to the new iPad, no mention there either (I'm not saying you're wrong).
What am I missing here? Why would ATT have to work with Apple on this issue? The feature is already built into the iPad, the carrier just has to support it.
As tin eared as ATT is, they better polish something up by next Friday b/c I imagine a lot of people will be buying VZW instead or exchanging their ATTs for VZWs.
As tin eared as ATT is, they better polish something up by next Friday b/c I imagine a lot of people will be buying VZW instead or exchanging their ATTs for VZWs.