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iPad UK 3G datablocks?

A

aoaaron

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 4, 2010
468
44
So I'm thinking of buying an iPad 3G 3 model... but i dont think I will use 3G a lot. I'm sure I will use it sometimes. I'd say 2x a month travelling etc., 2x a week in hospital..

however, im not fond on paying 15/month. Is there a plan available so I can buy in blocks? e.g.buy 2GB then it never expires?
 
Hmm

I have a couple of friends in the UK, they usually tether their phones so they can get the iPad connected. Another option is to get a mini SIM card with internet access and put it in the iPad whenever you need it.

I really don't think there is an actual way for a carrier to provide the service you're requesting since it won't generate profit for them. It would be awesome for the users tough :)
 
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No u can buy a Pre paid 3 mobile sim off eBay that gives u 'x' amount for 12 months. Or use an O2 sim u can do a daily one off top up or monthly top ups with no ties
 
Get yourself a free sim from GiffGaff and (after you've chopped it down) use their no commitment gigabags.

Works on the 02 network, so coverage is great too.
 
Zcott said:
Bump for the eBay 3SIMs, they're great.

Or if you're on 3 on your phone you should get free tethering.
Click to expand...

I'm a complete noob at this, so be patient with me, but I will be getting the iPad 3 at the end of the month hopefully. I was going to pay for the 3G version since I'll be looking and responding to work emails during my hour long commute each morning & evening. Does tethering operate from the iPhone by simply activating the 'Personal Hotspot' function within the settings function of the iPhone?

I'm already on the 3 network so this seems too good to be true. I'll also look at the ebay sim options mentioned above so thanks for the heads up everyone!
 
Guacamole said:
I thought that was only for the Iphone. Won't they find out is being used on an Ipad only ?
Click to expand...

It is in theory iphone only, but I've been using it successfully for over a year now (onto my second sim now). Only thing I'm careful of is not to exceed 500mb in a month.
 
Just get a pay as you go micro sim, and top it up as you go.

I recommend you go with "3", that is who I have an iPad contract with and their coverage is next to none. I travel all over the UK and most places have a good 3G connection. Beats Vodafone and Orange hands down.
 
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davys said:
Zcott said:
Bump for the eBay 3SIMs, they're great.

Or if you're on 3 on your phone you should get free tethering.
Click to expand...

I'm a complete noob at this, so be patient with me, but I will be getting the iPad 3 at the end of the month hopefully. I was going to pay for the 3G version since I'll be looking and responding to work emails during my hour long commute each morning & evening. Does tethering operate from the iPhone by simply activating the 'Personal Hotspot' function within the settings function of the iPhone?

I'm already on the 3 network so this seems too good to be true. I'll also look at the ebay sim options mentioned above so thanks for the heads up everyone!
Click to expand...

If you were going to do that you would only need the wifi model as tethering is done over Bluetooth.
 
Gav2k said:
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 4s: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)



If you were going to do that you would only need the wifi model as tethering is done over Bluetooth.
Click to expand...

Not quite true. If you have an iPhone 4 or 4S you can tether over wifi or bluetooth. For the 3GS, it's bluetooth only.

And yes, it's as simple as that!
 
yegon said:
It is in theory iphone only, but I've been using it successfully for over a year now (onto my second sim now). Only thing I'm careful of is not to exceed 500mb in a month.
Click to expand...

I've used it for the Iphone when I first got my phone, I have never exceed the 500mb, so that won't be a problem.

I was wondering about registration of the sim and set up, I wouldn't have to put it on the iphone first , right?
 
Pre-paid sim from 3 (best coverage for me all over the UK)

I buy my sim cards from amazon. 3GB card costs £12. It lasts for 3 months or until you use the 3GB, whichever happens first. Also, It doesn't start until you pop it into the iPad. I usually manage a week or more between cards too as I'm in wi-fi areas way more than the need for 3G. I still love having the 3G option and sometimes our wi-fi is so rubbish I use the 3G anyways!!
:)
 
can someone link me to these 3GB cards? cant find them...

the 500mb/month for £10 looks amazing!!

with itunes match et al tho, not sure if i need a bit more or not.

any other good deals pleaaaase? also do any of these badboys offer 4G?
 
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