AT&T to Introduce $5 Per Day 250MB iPad Data Passes, $25 3-Month 1GB Data Plan

[MacRumors]

AT&T senior vice president Chris Penrose today announced that AT&T plans to introduce a new $5 daily 250MB data plan for tablet users who want to use cellular data occasionally, reports AllThingsD. Penrose announced the news at today's GigaOM Mobilize conference in San Francisco and the company hopes the offering will entice users to purchase cellular devices over Wi-Fi models.

"We really think that a Wi-Fi only tablet is good, but it is not good enough," said AT&T senior VP Chris Penrose, speaking at the event. The cost of adding a cellular module to tablets is also going down, Penrose said.

"We've seen that price go down substantially over the past several years," Penrose said. "Ultimately we'd like to see tablet manufacturers build just one tablet."

Along with $5 day passes, the company also plans to introduce a $25 plan that provides 1GB of data that can be used over a three month period. The two new plans will be offered in addition to AT&T's existing $10 Mobile Share data plan for iPads.

Article Link: AT&T to Introduce $5 Per Day 250MB iPad Data Passes, $25 3-Month 1GB Data Plan

 

[osofast240sx]

They just don't get it

 

[AppleWarMachine]

Why not just Hotspot to your iPad from your iPhone

 

[guspasho]

$5 for 250MB is ridiculous. You can't even watch a single movie on Netflix with 250MB. What garbage.

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Why not just Hotspot to your iPad from your iPhone

Because AT&T makes you pay twice to use the same data.

 

[GadgetDon]

I don't know how common my situation is, but those plans would do very well for me. I currently have a Verizon iPad, $20/month I use it on the run, and only twice have I even come remotely close to the 1GB monthly amount.

 

[DotCom2]

This is wonderful and just what I needed so I can GPS a route on my iPad instead of the smaller iphone on occasional day trips. YAY!

 

[sjwr]

Any need for wifi only models ?

got me wondering if Apple will eliminate WiFi only models with new IPads. At some point this will actually reduce costs.

 

[GadgetDon]

$5 for 250MB is ridiculous. You can't even watch a single movie on Netflix with 250MB. What garbage.

I don't watch movies on Netflix when I'm out and about. I check email, chat on skype (not talk, just type chat), and use Apple Maps for directions (which works perfectly well for me).

 

[jmcrutch]

I currently pay $15/mo for 250mb of data for an iPad I use as a cash register. If I'm able to switch to the $25 3-month 1GB plan, I'll save $80/year and actually have more data available

 

[Rigby]

I think this is actually a nice improvement. I usually buy the 250MB/1 month pass for $14.99 when traveling domestically. The new options are obviously better value. Perhaps I'll even keep the 3-month pass active permanently for just $100 bucks a year instead of only activating it case-by-case when I need it.

 

[longofest]

Because AT&T makes you pay twice to use the same data.

There's nothing to stop you from creating a hotspot from your phone to your iPad, given you have a mobile share plan.

 

[bushido]

meanwhile europe is laughing at this. i just got a prepaid rechargable sim with 1GB for 9€ in spain

 

[i-John]

They just don't get it

Oh, I get it. You want everything for nothing.

I think you don't get the idea why they are offering it. It's for an occasional user, who may just need access for a day. It's not designed for a heavy user, it's for someone who only needs access now and again and doesn't need a hefty plan with GBs of data they don't use. If you want that, you get the share plan and include your iPad.

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$5 for 250MB is ridiculous. You can't even watch a single movie on Netflix with 250MB. What garbage.

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Because AT&T makes you pay twice to use the same data.

It's not for someone who wants to be streaming movies.

If you want more data, get the mobile share plan, add your iPad and done. Not making you pay twice for anything.

 

[Rigby]

Why not just Hotspot to your iPad from your iPhone

Because neither the mobile share plans nor the 5GB data option for individual plans make sense financially in my personal situation.

 

[Nevaborn]

So this or twther for free. Hmmmm oh choices choices.

 

[Oui]

The plans all show up already under my account on the iPad.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

got me wondering if Apple will eliminate WiFi only models with new IPads. At some point this will actually reduce costs.

At the expense of sales. The iPad is all but worthless w/o internet & it would be insane to force people to pay for wireless when @ home.

 

[jclo]

The plans all show up already under my account on the iPad.

Thanks! I'll update my post

 

[Diode]

At the expense of sales. The iPad is all but worthless w/o internet & it would be insane to force people to pay for wireless when @ home.

The ATT/Verizon models have wifi.

I think he meant killing the wifi model and leaving only the cell version.

However I have a feeling the profit margin on the cellular models are much higher then the wifi models so Apple would lose out if they lowered the cost of the cell version to match that of the wifi model.

 

[nutmac]

I am confused. Doesn't AT&T offer 30-day "DataConnect Pass" plan that can be cancelled at any time? The last time I checked, it costs $14.99 for 250MB, $30 for 3GB, and $50 for 5GB.

I suppose $5/day for 250MB is for those that intends to use data for 4 days or less ($20 for 1GB total), but AT&T is being real stingy but not offering rollover.

 

[blue22]

an improvement, but still unneeded for most...

I usually love to loathe AT&T's pricing plans, but this pricing structure actually sounds reasonable.

That being said, unless you're regularly using it for business purposes I don't see where a standard WiFi-only enabled iPad isn't good enough for a majority of people's typical usage habits where decent (if not good) WiFi access is usually present.

 

[blucable]

Oh, I get it. You want everything for nothing.

I think you don't get the idea why they are offering it. It's for an occasional user, who may just need access for a day. It's not designed for a heavy user, it's for someone who only needs access now and again and doesn't need a hefty plan with GBs of data they don't use. If you want that, you get the share plan and include your iPad.

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It's not for someone who wants to be streaming movies.

If you want more data, get the mobile share plan, add your iPad and done. Not making you pay twice for anything.

You seem to not get it at all, $5 for 250MB is ridiculous, $500 for 50GB is way too ridiculous as well... What can you do with 250MB a day? watch 5 youtube videos and use up all your data for the day? it is R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S we are not talking about getting it all for nothing, but would you rather buy a DVD for $15 or pay $50 to see it on your phone? How about AT&T gets a more reasonable data plan than their current rip off prices?

 

[Locoboof]

This seems good to me. This will be my first year buying a mini with 3G+WiFi. It will be nice just to pay 5.00,no contract to use it here and there. I don't need to stream movies as I've got everything in my iTunes library I can sync over. And since I've got unlimited grandfathered data in my 5S I can't turn my phone into a hotspot unless I want to loose my unlimited. Which I'm not willing to do

 

[ahmet]

In my country, Turkey, 1GB data costs only $10 per month and 4GB costs $20 FYI.

In USA, carriers just **** people. Huge coverage area is not an excuse.

 

[BJMRamage]

so, I may be totally reading this wrong but...is that $5 a day for 250mb?

as in (yes, it would seem stupid to buy it this way but...) $150 for a month of service?

the 1gb over 3 months isn't a bad idea.