Shared plan with AT&T iPad Mini and iP5?

[HazyCloud]

Absolutely.

I'm going to test drive the wifi only Mini for a week or so before making my final decision. Both options are equally enticing - 5GB to tether or chosing to turn on the cellular Mini's data.

Not a bad idea. Since I have the mobile share plan, getting the Wi-Fi model is a no brainier. Why pay an extra 130 plus an extra 10 bucks a month? If my phone doesn't have a cellular signal, I don't see the iPad having one either.

EDIT* Just noticed I'm still on Bluetooth and my iPhone's battery has only dropped 2% in 20 minutes.

 

[ZipZap]

I tried the tethering route but it was too much trouble. I like the ability to turn on the iPad and have data connectivity no matter what (well mostly). The extra steps of turning on/off tethering gave a productivity hit and limited how much I used my iPad. For example, I have Omnifocus on the iPad and I like opening it, entering a few things and closing it. The whole process takes less than 30 seconds. Having to fumble with tethering would mean I would not use the iPad like that at all.

My usage was such that the shared data plan also made more sense. Some devices use little data while others (i.e. iPad, use way more than their share). The shared plan gives me more flexibility in managing data usage across my constellation of communication devices!

Thank you...this is my thinking as well. I dont want to be dependent on the IP5 for data connectivity.

 

[HazyCloud]

I tried the tethering route but it was too much trouble. I like the ability to turn on the iPad and have data connectivity no matter what (well mostly). The extra steps of turning on/off tethering gave a productivity hit and limited how much I used my iPad. For example, I have Omnifocus on the iPad and I like opening it, entering a few things and closing it. The whole process takes less than 30 seconds. Having to fumble with tethering would mean I would not use the iPad like that at all.

My usage was such that the shared data plan also made more sense. Some devices use little data while others (i.e. iPad, use way more than their share). The shared plan gives me more flexibility in managing data usage across my constellation of communication devices!

Too much trouble? Turn tethering on and the iPad auto-connects. I guess our definition of trouble is vastly different.

If you didn't know, an Internet connection isn't required to use Omnifocus. Anything you enter will sync once a connection is available.

 

[ZipZap]

So it seems to me that a one unlimited phone / one 4G ipad owner would be foolish to go with shared plan:

Assumptions:
iPhone on unlimited
Unlimited plans are likely going to be capped at 5GB
iPad 5GB plan

Present:

$39.99 phone
$30 Unlimited Data
$15 1500 Messages
$50 iPad for 5GB

$134.99

Shared:

$120 10 GB Data
$30 Phone
$15 1500 messages
$10 ipad

$175

You'd need to presently have at least 2 phones or ipads for it to break even or make sense.

 

[HazyCloud]

I've got 4 lines so it made sense to switch. I was paying the same amount for 3 iPhones and a "dumbphone" than the price for 10 GBs with 4 iPhones. Luckily for me, the other 3 lines use less than 2 GBs total, so I get about 8 a month to use as I see fit.

I was going to leave AT&T and jump on Verizon's mobile share just for myself, but the prices was outrageous. It seems mobile share is only good if you have 2 or more lines.

 

[HERO XXL]

This whole shared plan/tethering/AT&T/verizon thing is UTTERLY confusing....I'd call my carrier (AT&T) & ask questions if I felt I could TRUST 'em!! I already have unlimited from my first gen iPad. I know that I could transfer this to the mini, since I've done the same with each generation, but what about the other tablets when we're out and about? I remember that Verizon offered free tethering at one time, but it seems that this is no longer the case. I'm currently on a shared plan, (i5, Note & dumb phone) with the i5 on unlimited since its the main phone...if i purchase a wifi mini, what's the story? How much more will I pay & is it worth it? Any explanation/help in understanding ANYONE can provide would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[bit_bucket]

At first glance it appears confusing but it actually works out. We have 5 iPhones and with the 10gb plan we are paying quite a bit less. I fully plan on connecting the iPad Mini to this for 10 bucks more a month. After the initial billing it all works out great and is easy to deal with at least on AT&T. Just call and text as much as we want and use the shared pool of data. Even with 5 iPhones, we are hard pressed to get even close to our limit, and it is real easy to see who is using what quantity of data.