AT&T Offers Details on iPad 3G Activations and Usage

[MacRumors]

As part of its quarterly earnings conference call yesterday, AT&T offered some insight into the iPad's performance on the its network, with Silicon Alley Insider providing a summary of the data.

- AT&T reported that it activated service on 400,000-500,000 iPad "Wi-Fi + 3G" devices during the quarter, which actually consists of only the last two months of the quarter as the 3G-capable models did not begin shipping until the very end of April. While Apple reported overall iPad sales of 3.27 million for the quarter, that number is spread over a number of countries, with international sales beginning in late May. AT&T's numbers also do not account for users who purchased 3G-capable models but have not yet activated the service for one reason or another. Apple has declined to share the balance between Wi-Fi and 3G-capable device sales.

- AT&T notes that it has been surprised by corporate uptake of the iPad, unlike the iPhone which saw significant reluctance on the part of business during its early phases. During its own conference call, Apple noted that the iPad has already been deployed or is being piloted at 50% of the Fortune 100 companies.

- 75-80% of iPad data customers are on the more expensive 2 GB plan priced at $25 per month as opposed to the 250 MB plan at $14.99 per month. AT&T had initially launched an unlimited data plan priced at $29.99 per month, and users who joined that plan while it was in effect can remain on it for the foreseeable future provided they do not allow their service to lapse. iPad 3G data plan users are also in general using more data than iPhone users, but less than laptop-card users.

Article Link: AT&T Offers Details on iPad 3G Activations and Usage

 

[Tronic]

Im sure there are a lot of wifi + 3g users who havent activated a 3g plan yet

 

[darrenbeige]

iPad 2.0 = One iPad model, no separate WiFi-only model.

 

[nehalemi7]

Interesting that iPad 3G users use more data; I would've thought that it'd be less because the iPad is much less mobile than the iPhone.

 

[alakazzam]

Those are some impressive numbers for this product. It looks like the iPad is going to be sticking around and not just a one-hit-wonder.

 

[addicted44]

Interesting that iPad 3G users use more data; I would've thought that it'd be less because the iPad is much less mobile than the iPhone.

But you can do a lot more, a lot quicker.

I think the iPhone 4 might narrow the gap, since it renders pages much faster (and now Netflix is also available for the iPhone).

However, people enjoy using the iPad for long periods of time, while the same cannot be said of the iPhone because of the screen size.

 

[gdigger]

(and now Netflix is also available for the iPhone).

I think thats still iPad only for now.

 

[AnthonyCM]

I just wish someone would ask them or Apple WTF happened to the stop and restart unlimited data plan. That is what sold me on spending the extra cash on the 3G version. It's total BS that they pulled that option almost as soon as people started using it.

 

[momzluv]

Not necessarily less mobile than the iphone

"Interesting that iPad 3G users use more data; I would've thought that it'd be less because the iPad is much less mobile than the iPhone. "


Actually, I am a woman that carries her 3G iPad EVERYWHERE. I know that the guys can't relate, but it actually fits nicely in my handbag so I use it all of the time and everywhere. I actually only use my iphone for phone calls these days.

 

[BC2009]

I'm still bummed they dropped the unlimited plan. I bought the 3G model so I could go unlimited for the 3 or 4 times per year when I needed (like when on vacation), but typically I find that around town 95% of places I would actually take the iPad have WiFi anyway -- so I typically don't have it subscribed to 3G.

Going on vacation this month and I ended up buying the 2GB plan. One consolation is that I likely won't use the whole 2GB and the new plan is $5 cheaper.

I guess that is life when you don't have a contract for service. The "no contract" thing works both ways. Can't have my cake and eat it too. I just like the ability to not even think about how much data I am using rather than making sure I switch to WiFi when its available.

 

[room237]

I've seen Mayor Bloomberg use an iPad while giving remarks and Q&A sessions at press conferences.

 

[jaw04005]

I guess that is life when you don't have a contract for service. The "no contract" thing works both ways. Can't have my cake and eat it too.

I would argue differently. Many of us (me included) wouldn't have waited the 30 extra days, paid the $130 extra dollars or dealt with the ugly black stripe if the pay-as-you-go AT&T unlimited plan wasn't heavily promoted as a major selling point at launch.

It's bad enough Apple cripples the iPad's firmware to prevent downloading applications and media over 20MB.

AT&T can't have it both ways either.

Apple should release a firmware update that allows the iPad 3G to work on T-Mobile's 3G and drop the 20MB limit.

 

[blizaine]

I'm just looking forward to iOS4 on the iPad. My iPhone4 is spoiling me with multitasking, folders, and unified inbox.

 

[beowuff]

Skip iPhone for iPad?

Hmmm... I'm thinking I might be able to get away with an iPad and an actual, phone only cell phone... Might be the perfect combo for me...

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Actually, I am a woman that carries her 3G iPad EVERYWHERE. I know that the guys can't relate, but it actually fits nicely in my handbag so I use it all of the time and everywhere. I actually only use my iphone for phone calls these days.

Yeah, goes most everywhere with me too. I use it as my phone as well with skype, but have been thinking it'd be less like carrying a computer if it were in a "european carry-all" (don't call it a man-purse).

Places it doesn't go, I don't want a computer around anyway. Mountain biking, hiking, restaurants, surfing, on dates, etc...


Without the unlimited plan, this thing would be useless to me. It's strength is that it does everything I need a computer to do besides CAD and Graphics work (though it helps with those), and does it from anywhere any time, quickly and conveniently. Superb little device.


I will say, I just travelled cross country, and AT&T's 3G coverage seems only to exist in a handful of busier cities downtown areas. Went entire states without being able to make a phone call over 3g on it.

 

[idonotliketostu]

I purchased my 3g ipad before the cutoff date for the unlimited 3g, how do I sign up for 29.99 plan?

 

[thejakill]

iPad 2.0 = One iPad model, no separate WiFi-only model.

I hope not.

Many people prefer having the cheaper wifi only option.

 

[Digital Dude]

As much as I would love an iPad and iPhone-4, I have to buy basic RAM for my anorexic MacPro. Nothing to hold or show off to friends and family, but very much needed to keep things' working as they should.

 

[darrenbeige]

I'm in a predictive mood.

iOS4 for iPad will not be a port of iOS4 for iPhone. It will have other stuff, such as printing support, and maybe widgets.

iOS4 will ship on November 1st at a special event. At the same event, iPad 2.0 will be announced and launch a week later.

 

[darrenbeige]

I hope not.

Many people prefer having the cheaper wifi only option.

My guess is it will be $499 for the Wifi+3G model.

Apple could make people pay extra this generation as they have no competition. This won't be true - all the proposed tablets include 3G and are at about $499.

 

[Rocketman]

However, people enjoy using the iPad for long periods of time, while the same cannot be said of the iPhone because of the screen size.

Not so much because of the size but because of the much lower screen density. It is less straining to view relatively less dense material.

The iPhone 4 has very high resolution (4x) as compare to the prior model. Most of that is not being used to increase the virtual screen space and increase button counts. It is mainly being used to improve visual resolution of existing image sizes and graphics layouts.

The iPad on the other hand spreads the image over double the pixels on a space where the pixels are themselves wider apart.

Rocketman

 

[Full of Win]

Interesting that iPad 3G users use more data; I would've thought that it'd be less because the iPad is much less mobile than the iPhone.

The iPad is more of a media consumption device, and media = data. Just watching one Netflix movie can use 400-500 MB over 3G, in ONE sitting. If we had access to the metrics used, I'm sure it would show that the iPad request data less, but when it does, it uses a lot more of it.

I'm in a predictive mood.

iOS4 for iPad will not be a port of iOS4 for iPhone. It will have other stuff, such as printing support, and maybe widgets.

iOS4 will ship on November 1st at a special event. At the same event, iPad 2.0 will be announced and launch a week later.

iOS 3.2 was, in some ways, was like an 'iOS4 lite' on the iPhone. Similarly, i think iOS 4 on the iPad will be ;iOS5 lite' on the iPhone.

 

[sishaw]

iPad 2.0 = One iPad model, no separate WiFi-only model.

That's possible, especially if the rumors are true about different sizes. 2 different connections over 3 different sizes would be unusually diverse for Apple. Even confusing to non-technical people, and the iPad has definitely appealed to the casual non-technical user.

 

[Robin4]

I just wish someone would ask them or Apple WTF happened to the stop and restart unlimited data plan. That is what sold me on spending the extra cash on the 3G version. It's total BS that they pulled that option almost as soon as people started using it.

I agree. This is my only frustration with the iPad.

 

[radicalcentrist]

I'm in a predictive mood.

iOS4 for iPad will not be a port of iOS4 for iPhone. It will have other stuff, such as printing support, and maybe widgets.

iOS4 will ship on November 1st at a special event. At the same event, iPad 2.0 will be announced and launch a week later.

That would make my Christmas!