CANADIANS: Did I just buy the wrong iPad?

[jasphair]

Hello there,

I just purchased the "new" iPad (or iPad 3, whichever you're supposed to call it) with cellular capability. I received a free ROGERS sim card as well. I am not a Rogers customer (I have TELUS), but thought it would be wise to get a different telco SIM card for use when say, Telus has no reception or something.

In the last hour or so I've spent reading online, it appears there is no on-device activation in Canada. This sucks majorly, but I can live with it. I've also read that the big 3 telcos require a credit check to sign up for the month-to-month? I've just moved to Canada, and I have no credit here yet. Am I screwed?

I travel to the US quite a bit, and the intent was that I'd buy this in Canada (since I live here) and get a pay as you go SIM or whatever in the States (through ATT/T-Mobile/etc) for occasional data usage on my trips. I've read that this may not be an option with this new iPad, given it's emphasis on LTE?

Should I take this back to Apple and get an iPad 2 instead? I was really wanting the iPad 3 for the better display and graphics capability and LTE, but if I can't even register with a Canadian telco, let alone use it in my travels, it's about as useful as a Wifi iPad, except I overpaid $200 for this one.

Please advise.

Thank you,

jasphair

 

[wordoflife]

In the last hour or so I've spent reading online, it appears there is no on-device activation in Canada. This sucks majorly, but I can live with it. I've also read that the big 3 telcos require a credit check to sign up for the month-to-month? I've just moved to Canada, and I have no credit here yet. Am I screwed?

You have to call and find out if you're screwed or not, lol. I doubt you will be though, if that matters.

I travel to the US quite a bit, and the intent was that I'd buy this in Canada (since I live here) and get a pay as you go SIM or whatever in the States (through ATT/T-Mobile/etc) for occasional data usage on my trips. I've read that this may not be an option with this new iPad, given it's emphasis on LTE?

The iPad is unlocked so you can just go to an AT&T/Apple store, get a microSIM, and sign up on the device whenever you travel to the US.

 

[number84]

You'd be only screwed in Canada if you weren't able to sign up for a plan. I doubt they would deny you though. How did you get your Telus plan then? Don't they have a deposit solution for those with no credit or bad credit anyway? Ie., you put down like a $200 deposit and I you're up to date with your payments for say 6 months you get it back? Just call and ask.

Getting a prepaid plan in the US works the same as the iPad 2.