iPad On cellular iPads in the US, can it be used as a hotspot?

[ozshadow]

I'm considering the option of a cellular iPad to use with a carrier that is different from our iPhones carrier (Sprint - locked down after 100mb roaming). The purpose is to be able to have a data connection in more places.

Can you use the cellular iPad as a hotspot with all of the US data plan carrier options? I suspect the decision will come down to either Tmobile or AT&T as the data provider, given the isolated areas it would be used.

 

[Z400Racer37]

I'm considering the option of a cellular iPad to use with a carrier that is different from our iPhones carrier (Sprint - locked down after 100mb roaming). The purpose is to be able to have a data connection in more places.

Can you use the cellular iPad as a hotspot with all of the US data plan carrier options? I suspect the decision will come down to either Tmobile or AT&T as the data provider, given the isolated areas it would be used.

I use one of my 2 free lines t moble gave out a couple years ago to run my iPad dash install and it works as a hotspot no problem.

 

[ozshadow]

This would be through an independent data plan via Apple instead of being an addon to my cellular plan. I wonder if that matters.

 

[dk001]

I have a 12.9 IPP G2 on LTE (AT&T) and it gets used as a Hot Spot all the time while traveling.
Works well.

Note: I am not on an Unlimited Plan.

 

[Moolani]

Yes. I use the hotspot function on my iPad (Verizon) and it works great.

 

[rui no onna]

I'm considering the option of a cellular iPad to use with a carrier that is different from our iPhones carrier (Sprint - locked down after 100mb roaming). The purpose is to be able to have a data connection in more places.

Can you use the cellular iPad as a hotspot with all of the US data plan carrier options? I suspect the decision will come down to either Tmobile or AT&T as the data provider, given the isolated areas it would be used.

Not available with all plans. All 4 major carriers should have plans that support hotspot, though.

 

[borgranta]

The prepaid iPad plan from Verizon makes a point to state that hotspot is not included. The postpaid single device plan costs $15 per month with overages costing $10 per GB. So you could pay as little as $15 or less with auto pay and pauper less billing. There will be an activation fee on the first bill. The fees are range from $30 to $40 depending on the device. I suspect that hotspotting is available on prepaid tablet for an extra fee. It may be cheaper over the long term to pay for the $15 plan than to pay for a prepaid plan especially if hotspotting costs extra fees as I suspect.

 

[pika2000]

I always find it funny how US carriers can charge you more for tethering, a feature of your device using data that you already PAID for. I can understand charging extra for tethering on unlimited plans, but how can they charge more on limited plans?

 

[borgranta]

This would be through an independent data plan via Apple instead of being an addon to my cellular plan. I wonder if that matters.

Are you using the Apple Sim? Only 3 provider in the US partnered with Apple and they are AT&T Sprint and TMobile. Based on my experience AT&T seems to have the best coverage and reliability of the 3 in my area. You could get a prepaid Verizon MIFI if you need the extra coverage.

 

[Boyd01]

I just setup an unlocked iPad with the AT&T 2gb for 90 days plan. When you do this, the Apple SIM is permanently converted to an AT&T SIM. This plan does not include a wifi hotspot. But this wasn't an issue for me, because I can already use my AT&T iPhone as a hotspot.

 

[sparksd]

I just setup an unlocked iPad with the AT&T 2gb for 90 days plan. When you do this, the Apple SIM is permanently converted to an AT&T SIM. This plan does not include a wifi hotspot. But this wasn't an issue for me, because I can already use my AT&T iPhone as a hotspot.

I have the T-Mobile 5Gb/150 days/$10 plan and it allows hotspot.

 

[borgranta]

You could wait until Verizon puts iPad on sale for $200 off for contract and then sign up for the $15 single device plan. I heard that Verizon was forced by the feds to sell their devices unlocked.
[doublepost=1529688526][/doublepost]Auto pay and paperless billing knocks the price from $15 down to $10 but requires a debit card or bank account information to enroll which means credit card are not acceptable.
[doublepost=1529688618][/doublepost]The overages are $10 per GB

 

[mk313]

Agree with what's been written above. I have T Mobile on my two iPads & i can use as a hotspot. I would definitely double check the places where you're planning to use it though. In general, AT&T & Verizon offer the best coverage in more isolated areas. that has also been my experience. My T Mobile iPad works fine, but when I get into remote areas, it usually doesn't pick up a signal.

 

[ozshadow]

This would most likely be a sporadically used prepaid plan. Verizon and Sprint have terrible coverage in these rural areas I would occasionally travel. I do not want any plans with commitments.

Please let me know if you can confirm hotspot capability with a single device pre-paid plan, most likely through Tmobile or AT&T. It would probably be through the latest iPad Pro or maybe an Air 2.

 

[mk313]

This would most likely be a sporadically used prepaid plan. Verizon and Sprint have terrible coverage in these rural areas I would occasionally travel. I do not want any plans with commitments.

Please let me know if you can confirm hotspot capability with a single device pre-paid plan, most likely through Tmobile or AT&T. It would probably be through the latest iPad Pro or maybe an Air 2.

Confirmed on t mobile & the pricing is fantastic. The offer a prepaid 5 gig plan, good for 150 days, for $10. If their coverage fits in with where you plan to use it, I think they are the way to go.

 

[borgranta]

About your prepaid data plan options
If you need a prepaid, stand-alone data plan, we offer:

• AT&T DataConnect Pass7 - Choose this option if you want to prepay and don’t use a lot of data. The 5GB plan includes tethering and hotspot use for compatible devices. Learn more about DataConnect Pass plans.

[doublepost=1529690658][/doublepost]It looks like the 5GB plan includes tethering.
[doublepost=1529691264][/doublepost]The cheapest AT&T phone plan with hotspot is the 1GB plan for $35 and after using up the data is is slowed to 2G speeds until the next month.
[doublepost=1529691949][/doublepost]Check to see if US Cellular is available in your area since their cheapest post paid tablet plan is $10 for 1GB but I can not find info regarding using iPad hotspot on that plan.

 

[Boyd01]

It looks like the 5GB plan includes tethering.

Interesting, because that appears to be at odds with this page on AT&T's site. Maybe the 5gb plan has been replaced by the 7gb plan? Regardless, that's pretty expensive ($600/year) unless you need a lot of data and tethering.

If you click the DataConnect link in your post, it takes you here: https://buyasession.att.com/sbd/Common/ShopRatePlans.action

This list corresponds to the AT&T options that were available when I setup my iPad a few days ago - See the fine print:

"Tethering is allowed for compatible devices only with $50 plan"

 

[borgranta]

Interesting, because that appears to be at odds with this page on AT&T's site. Maybe the 5gb plan has been replaced by the 7gb plan? Regardless, that's pretty expensive ($600/year) unless you need a lot of data and tethering.

If you click the DataConnect link in your post, it takes you here: https://buyasession.att.com/sbd/Common/ShopRatePlans.action

This list corresponds to the AT&T options that were available when I setup my iPad a few days ago - See the fine print:

"Tethering is allowed for compatible devices only with $50 plan"

To my knowledge their 5GB plan is the $50 plan for prepaid. Also you could get their WIFI hotspot and pay as little as $25 for 2GB and as far as I know they would not be able to stop you from using the MIFI as a hotspot. I just remembered as I was typing that straight talk also has a MIFI with the cheapest plan being $10 for 1GB. I do not know what towers they use so I can not guarantee that they will have reception if you buy one.
[doublepost=1529710784][/doublepost]The straight talk MIFI device itself costs around $50.

 

[Boyd01]

To my knowledge their 5GB plan is the $50 plan for prepaid.

Well that was my point, there is no “5gb plan”, the $50 plan is 7gb and according to the link, it’s the only one that allows tethering. So maybe they upgraded it from 5gb to 7gb? But anyway, the OP says it’s for “sporadic use”, so 7gb that expires in 30 days probably doesn’t make much sense.

 

[borgranta]

AT&T prepaid smart phones can be used for hotspotting. In fact I used my iPhone 4S for hotspotting several times on the $45 prepaid plan.
[doublepost=1529713166][/doublepost]TMobile seems to be the best bet assuming it offers the needed coverage since they unlike AT&T will not lock the Apple Sim.

 

[rui no onna]

The prepaid iPad plan from Verizon makes a point to state that hotspot is not included. The postpaid single device plan costs $15 per month with overages costing $10 per GB. So you could pay as little as $15 or less with auto pay and pauper less billing. There will be an activation fee on the first bill. The fees are range from $30 to $40 depending on the device. I suspect that hotspotting is available on prepaid tablet for an extra fee. It may be cheaper over the long term to pay for the $15 plan than to pay for a prepaid plan especially if hotspotting costs extra fees as I suspect.

I'm curious, do you have a link to the terms for prepaid iPad data? I know they have restrictions for iPhone prepaid plans but wasn't aware they started restricting iPads, too.

When I was buying my iPad 3, one of the deciding factors I opted to upgrade to the Verizon LTE version was because even their $20/1GB prepaid plan supported tethering (I believe AT&T limited tethering to their $50-60 plan). If it didn't have tethering, I probably wouldn't have made the switch.