AT&T Posts Fact Sheet Regarding iPad 3G Data Service

[MacRumors]

In addition to details posted last month by Apple on how 3G data service will be managed on Wi-Fi + 3G iPad models due for launch this Friday, AT&T has now published a fact sheet (PDF) offering additional information on iPad data service.

AT&T notes that its "monthly" domestic service plans actually consist of 30-day cycles that will automatically renew unless the customer elects to cancel his or her contract-free service.

Once you sign up for iPad 3G data service, you can add to or cancel your domestic plan at any time - no penalty. For domestic plans, if you do not cancel, your service will automatically renew every 30 days to provide a more seamless data experience on an ongoing basis. For example, if you activate service on May 9, your service will automatically renew 30 days later with the same plan. If you do make a change, a new 30-day window begins.

Users on the 250 MB plan will receive alerts when they reach 20%, 10% and 0% of their data limit remaining. Customers who reach their data limit for a billing cycle can either wait until the end of the 30-day cycle when it automatically renews or change to an unlimited plan, which will begin a new 30-day cycle at that time.

AT&T's iPad data plans are priced at $14.99 (250 MB) and $29.99 (unlimited) per 30-day cycle and also provide free access to the company's network of over 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots.

Article Link: AT&T Posts Fact Sheet Regarding iPad 3G Data Service

 

[GroundLoop]

Does anyone know if there will be activation fees associated with repeatedly starting and stopping your service multiple times per year?

Hickman

 

[leomac08]

so.....if i get the $14.99 plan for 30 days........and i waste the 250MB in 5 days before the month is over, i have to wait the addtional 25 days before i get a new plan....ehhh

 

[Twinsbb17]

If you order the 250MB plan for 14.99 and are going to exceed your bandwidth, what are the upgrade options?

It would sure be nice if you could drop an additional $15 and get upgraded to the Unlimited Data plan but I doubt that's the case.

 

[jav6454]

so.....if i get the $14.99 plan for 30 days........and i waste the 250MB in 5 days before the month is over, i have to wait the addtional 25 days before i get a new plan....ehhh

You can do that... or refill again with another $14.99 and get 250 MB more. If you feel those 250MB will go out again, you can just upgrade to a unlimited plan. Although, quite frankly, you should get the unlimited and save yourself hassle.

 

[leomac08]

You can do that... or refill again with another $14.99 and get 250 MB more. If you feel those 250MB will go out again, you can just upgrade to a unlimited plan. Although, quite frankly, you should get the unlimited and save yourself hassle.

nah, i don't think i'll nvr buy the $14.99 plan.......just wanted to make clarifications...... the unlimited plan is the best one.

 

[goobot]

if you vote - you should die in a hole. this is a amazing deal.

 

[siurpeeman]

You can do that... or refill again with another $14.99 and get 250 MB more. If you feel those 250MB will go out again, you can just upgrade to a unlimited plan. Although, quite frankly, you should get the unlimited and save yourself hassle.

it doesn't seem as though you can refill another 250 mb. either wait until the next 30-day period starts, or start a new 30-day plan with unlimited data.

 

[sniffies]

What about international 3G access? Any info?

 

[LoganT]

I think they should add a 3 day deal. Pay 10 bucks for 3 days of unlimited 3G service. That would be perfect if you only want to occasionally use it, like when going out of town.

 

[jaw04005]

Apple’s Web site shows this:

 

[HiRez]

OK, so the way I understood it, if you were signed up for the 250 plan and went over the limit, then changed to the unlimited, you would be charged for both for the same month. But now it's clear that changing to unlimited starts a new 30-day window from that date, so that is very cool, you don't really get screwed. I like this system a lot better now, no reason to not go with the 250 unless you know for sure you're going to go over every month.

 

[ncbill]

So, how long until someone figures out how to tether 3G to Wi-Fi?

Turning the iPad into a humongous (but still portable) Wi-Fi hotspot!

 

[azentropy]

it doesn't seem as though you can refill another 250 mb. either wait until the next 30-day period starts, or start a new 30-day plan with unlimited data.

From the PDF:

What happens if I exceed the amount of data in my selected plan before the end of one month?
With the on-device management system, you can check your data usage in Settings>Cellular Data on your iPad at anytime. Also, for the $14.99 plan, iPad will even let you know when you’re about to reach your 250 MB data limit. You’ll get three alerts — at 20 percent, 10 percent, and zero. With each alert, you can choose to add more data or wait and do it later.

 

[law guy]

It's too bad that the iPad doesn't have a USB port so that folks with corporate or self-funded 3G modems for their PC or PBG4/MB/MBP/MB Air laptops (with whatever provider and plan they currently have) could just use those. The intentional crippling of that functionality on the line seems a bit heavy handed in terms of forcing the purchase of a 3g integrated model and limiting service options to Apple's selected partner.

 

[jav6454]

So, how long until someone figures out how to tether 3G to Wi-Fi?

Turning the iPad into a humongous (but still portable) Wi-Fi hotspot!

MyWi... already does that for iPhone.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I'm still trying to ponder what to go with at first.

I'm guessing the teen's in the car on Saturday for 4 hours could kill my 250 - so i might go unlimited the first month and see how my "normal" usage goes after the newness wears off.

That then covers the 6 hours in the car later in the month too.....

 

[ovrlrd]

I like how AT&T calls this "helpful Q&A" as if it doesn't just bring up more questions. Thanks for that AT&T. I am now more confused than ever regarding this one question:

If I buy the 250mb plan, can I upgrade to the Unlimited (within 30 days) without being charged for the 250mb plan? As in, I will only be charged $30 instead of $45 (charged for both plans)?

That is basically what everyone was saying would be the case before the 3G came out, but now I am really confused, and this doesn't clear anything up.

Update: I re-read it a bunch of times and it seems like they will charge you for both, oh well. I guess I will just pay for the unlimited when I am out, I don't want to pay for the 250mb plan and run out of it quickly, only to get charged more money.

 

[iOrlando]

how much is 250 mb?

isnt that really small?

 

[chugachpowder]

if you vote - you should die in a hole. this is a amazing deal.

What does this even mean?

I think they should add a 3 day deal. Pay 10 bucks for 3 days of unlimited 3G service. That would be perfect if you only want to occasionally use it, like when going out of town.

I agree a 3 day plan would be nice, but if I'm just going to be flying around and staying in hotels, I'll use wi-fi at the airport etc. I wonder if the ATT wifi network covers any airports? Then $15 a month would be great. Especially with how prevalent wifi is these days, I don't think I would even go over the 250MB limit even if I was away from home.

 

[AppleLover9o]

Will it be possible to get this plan on my iPhone 3gs?

 

[Cougarcat]

how much is 250 mb?

isnt that really small?

It's larger than you think.

If only AT&T brought this plan to the iPhone...

 

[gnasher729]

It's too bad that the iPad doesn't have a USB port so that folks with corporate or self-funded 3G modems for their PC or PBG4/MB/MBP/MB Air laptops (with whatever provider and plan they currently have) could just use those. The intentional crippling of that functionality on the line seems a bit heavy handed in terms of forcing the purchase of a 3g integrated model and limiting service options to Apple's selected partner.

In the UK, you just get a MiFi for £50 and connect an iPad, MacBook, iPod Touch and one more device, all at the same time.

how much is 250 mb?

isnt that really small?

Well, I have WiFi at home, and I have WiFi at work. So 95% of the time, I don't need 3G. For $15 a month you get the ability to access the internet from anywhere, at anytime, but not all the time. For many people, 250 MB is plenty. Others will go through 250 MB very quickly.

The only problem is that AT&T's "Fact Sheet" doesn't explain things properly, so it is unclear what you would do if you went through 250 MB in a week (you probably would want to change from the $15 plan to the $30 plan) or if you went through 250 MB in 27 days (you would probably want to start a new $250 plan right there and then).

 

[chugachpowder]

In the UK, you just get a MiFi for £50 and connect an iPad, MacBook, iPod Touch and one more device, all at the same time.

Its kind of nice not having to carry around a separate gadget just to get internet though. But it does have its benefits though, as you said. How long does the battery on your MiFi last?

 

[azentropy]

how much is 250 mb?

isnt that really small?

Depends on what you do. Only once in 22 months on my iPhone have I gone over that amount and I consider myself a pretty heavy user. However I always ask myself if I really need to do something heavy when over 3G, but mostly because doing it over WiFi later would be faster anyway.