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Carrier AT&T vs Verizon ipad mini

M

mekump

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 25, 2010
43
20
I currently have an iPad with AT&T service. I can activate/deactivate on a month to month for $15 for 250MB. If I go out of the country I can activate international from my iPad on a month to month basis as well. I can even set the date as to when I want it to start. I don't recall the pricing.

I am currently thinking about upgrading to the iPad mini retina with Verizon mainly because I can get 1GB for $20 per month. My questions:

Can I stop and start Verizon on a month to month basis from my iPad like AT&T?
Can I stop and start Verizon International on a month to month basis like I do with AT&T?
How much is the Verizon International data plans?

tia,
Mike
 
mekump said:
I currently have an iPad with AT&T service. I can activate/deactivate on a month to month for $15 for 250MB. If I go out of the country I can activate international from my iPad on a month to month basis as well. I can even set the date as to when I want it to start. I don't recall the pricing.

I am currently thinking about upgrading to the iPad mini retina with Verizon mainly because I can get 1GB for $20 per month. My questions:

Can I stop and start Verizon on a month to month basis from my iPad like AT&T?
Can I stop and start Verizon International on a month to month basis like I do with AT&T?
How much is the Verizon International data plans?

tia,
Mike
Click to expand...

If what I remember from older models is true, Verizon is CDMA which means your international sphere is just Canada. AT&T shares more common bands everywhere else.

----------

It has changed... Read this article at the bottom.

http://www.imore.com/att-vs-verizon-vs-sprint-vs-t-mobile-which-ipad-carrier-should-you-choose
 
mekump said:
I currently have an iPad with AT&T service. I can activate/deactivate on a month to month for $15 for 250MB. If I go out of the country I can activate international from my iPad on a month to month basis as well. I can even set the date as to when I want it to start. I don't recall the pricing.

I am currently thinking about upgrading to the iPad mini retina with Verizon mainly because I can get 1GB for $20 per month. My questions:

Can I stop and start Verizon on a month to month basis from my iPad like AT&T?
Can I stop and start Verizon International on a month to month basis like I do with AT&T?
How much is the Verizon International data plans?

tia,
Mike
Click to expand...

My understanding is that the hardware between the various LTE units is identical ... only the SIM card provided is different (although I think the IMEI number for the devices are registered with the networks as well, so if you switch networks, you might need to call them in order to enable your device on their network).

So, form a hardware point of view both should work equally well for international travel.

As far as starting and stopping plans, I think that Apple requires the networks to provide this option, so if you buy a non-subsidized iPad, you will always have the month to month option with any of the carriers.

Regarding international plans, I've never used them on my iPads so it would be best to call Verizon about it. When I travel, I usually get the international data on my iPhone and just tether. I'm actually thinking of switching to T-Mobile so I can get free (but SLOW) international data on my iPhone!

If you like the Verizon plan domestically, I would recommend getting that model. If Verizon doesn't have an international plan that you are happy with, you could always just get an ATT Sim card for travel.
 
mekump said:
Can I stop and start Verizon on a month to month basis from my iPad like AT&T?
Click to expand...
Yes. The SIM gets deactivated after 5 months of non-use, though.

mekump said:
Can I stop and start Verizon International on a month to month basis like I do with AT&T?
How much is the Verizon International data plans?
Click to expand...
No idea if Verizon offers prepaid International data like AT&T does. However, it's probably cheaper if you get either a world SIM or a local SIM from the country you're traveling to. I've been researching data plans for my vacation and in the country I'm traveling to, I can get unlimited LTE data for 30 days for just $23.
 
Lte

Bheleu said:
If what I remember from older models is true, Verizon is CDMA which means your international sphere is just Canada. AT&T shares more common bands everywhere else.

----------

It has changed... Read this article at the bottom.

http://www.imore.com/att-vs-verizon-vs-sprint-vs-t-mobile-which-ipad-carrier-should-you-choose
Click to expand...

CDAM is not the same for the LTE bands. the LTE is pretty much universal and ubiquitous. It's one of the reasons I went with the cellular model this time, it'll pretty much work everywhere. Get a nice data card internationally, and let the ipad be the hotspot.
 
rui no onna said:
Yes. The SIM gets deactivated after 5 months of non-use, though.
Click to expand...

Can it be reactivated in this case?
I plan to buy a cellular iPad but won't need to use the cellular plan more than 1-2 times a year so if this is the case, mine will probably get deactivated every 5 months.
 
rui no onna said:
Yes. The SIM gets deactivated after 5 months of non-use, though.
Click to expand...

Just for clarification does that 5 month clock start when the SIM is activated, i.e., user sets up the cellular acct or when the iPad is activated, regardless of whether the user even touched the cellular settings.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
Just for clarification does that 5 month clock start when the SIM is activated, i.e., user sets up the cellular acct or when the iPad is activated, regardless of whether the user even touched the cellular settings.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure about an unactivated SIM but I'm sure it does that after you stop service on an already activated one.

----------
scubacat said:
Can it be reactivated in this case?
I plan to buy a cellular iPad but won't need to use the cellular plan more than 1-2 times a year so if this is the case, mine will probably get deactivated every 5 months.
Click to expand...
You'd need to get a new SIM from Verizon when that happens.
 
rui no onna said:
I'm not sure about an unactivated SIM but I'm sure it does that after you stop service on an already activated one.

----------


You'd need to get a new SIM from Verizon when that happens.
Click to expand...

What a dumb policy on the carriers end. Why can't they just re-enable the cellular capabilities or deactivate the SIM card on their end? Seems like a waste if everyone's time if you ask me...
 
rui no onna said:
I'm not sure about an unactivated SIM but I'm sure it does that after you stop service on an already activated one.

----------


You'd need to get a new SIM from Verizon when that happens.
Click to expand...

And GOOD LUCK on getting that from anywhere other than fleabay. No matter what any Verizon CSR tells you, they will NOT give you a new verizon sim from any verizon store/dealer unless you sign up for a post-paid plan which you don't want.
 
I can confirm it gets deactivated. And when you go to a verizon store, they'll tell you there's no way to get another prepaid sim, and try to sign you up for a postpaid plan.

You can buy a verizon sim on eBay that'll work.
 
Does AT&T also deactivate the SIM or is it just Verizon? If AT&T also does this, is it easier to get a replacement SIM?
 
mekump said:
I currently have an iPad with AT&T service. I can activate/deactivate on a month to month for $15 for 250MB. If I go out of the country I can activate international from my iPad on a month to month basis as well. I can even set the date as to when I want it to start. I don't recall the pricing.

I am currently thinking about upgrading to the iPad mini retina with Verizon mainly because I can get 1GB for $20 per month. My questions:

Can I stop and start Verizon on a month to month basis from my iPad like AT&T?
Can I stop and start Verizon International on a month to month basis like I do with AT&T?
How much is the Verizon International data plans?

tia,
Mike
Click to expand...

How can you get 1GB for $20/month with Verizon? I was just told that they do not offer that plan anymore, and that they just offer the 2GB for $30/month as the lowest plan.
 
briankeith513 said:
How can you get 1GB for $20/month with Verizon? I was just told that they do not offer that plan anymore, and that they just offer the 2GB for $30/month as the lowest plan.
Click to expand...
Shows up in the options in View Account (prepaid). I just checked Apple Store's iPad page and Verizon's website and the 1GB for $20 for prepaid is still there so I'd disregard what the customer service rep told you.

Now, if on postpaid (which is what corporate stores will push you to get), minimum plan is $30/month for 4GB plus a $10 line access fee for the iPad so $40/month minimum total (before employee discounts).
 
Try making a Genius appointment at your local Apple Store, and ask the Genius for a replacement SIM. I've only done this once to get an AT&T SIM, but maybe they may have Verizon SIMs in the back. Can't hurt to ask.
 
Verizon SIM

Last week I deactivated my account on the iPad3 so I could sell it. I went to the Verizon store and they gave me a new pre-paid sim. It worked for the new owner.
 
AT&T vs Verizon ipad mini

rui no onna said:
Shows up in the options in View Account (prepaid). I just checked Apple Store's iPad page and Verizon's website and the 1GB for $20 for prepaid is still there so I'd disregard what the customer service rep told you.

Now, if on postpaid (which is what corporate stores will push you to get), minimum plan is $30/month for 4GB plus a $10 line access fee for the iPad so $40/month minimum total (before employee discounts).
Click to expand...

Ah, ok thanks

----------
deeddawg said:
Sign up for it from the ipad.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/prepay/processPrePayRequest.do?type=pptablet





Sounds like you talked to a salesperson who lied trying to steer you onto a postpaid account so he/she could get commission.
Click to expand...

Excellent. If I sign up for it from my iPad, what are the requirements? Will I need a different sim? And where on the iPad do you sign up for the prepaid plan?
 
briankeith513 said:
Excellent. And where on the iPad do you sign up for the prepaid plan?
Click to expand...

Settings->CellularData->ViewAccount on iOS6. I imagine it's equally as obvious on iOS7.


If I sign up for it from my iPad, what are the requirements? Will I need a different sim?
Click to expand...

A different SIM from what? Use the one that came with the ipad.

Requirements are the same for any prepaid plan; email address and credit card.
 
deeddawg said:
Settings->CellularData->ViewAccount on iOS6. I imagine it's equally as obvious on iOS7.




A different SIM from what? Use the one that came with the ipad.

Requirements are the same for any prepaid plan; email address and credit card.
Click to expand...

Great, hopefully there's no activation fees.
 
Buy the Verizon model for the Verizon SIM and an iPad that's on their whitelist. Then stick a T-Mobile SIM in it and enjoy 200MB/month for free (no credit card required). I bought the Verizon model because I wanted to make sure I could hook up to a network with free hotspot (ATT is not free on prepaid plans). Turns out the 200MB/month T-Mobile free plan will let me hotspot too.
 
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