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All iPads T-Mobile free 200MB vs. AT&T

WolfSnap

WolfSnap

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 18, 2012
1,131
1,029
SoCal
I'd like someone to correct and/or confirm my assumptions about the iPad Air/iPad rMini.

In looking at the specs, the iPad's this year all have the same baseband chip. They all support the full range of LTE bands. Ignoring, for a moment, Verizon and Sprint's silly "we won't use a non-Verizon iPad" policy and deal with just T-Mobile and AT&T, it seems like buying a T-Mobile tablet might be the best way to go...

If you buy a T-Mobile tablet, you have TM sims out of the box, and it should work with the free 200MB/mo deal -- forever. BUT, given that AT&T is just a sim-swap away (and AT&T is fairly easy-going about activating sims/imei's even if it's not officially an AT&T device)..

Am I right? Is a T-Mobile/AT&T device just basically one sim swap away from being used on either network?
 
WolfSnap said:
I'd like someone to correct and/or confirm my assumptions about the iPad Air/iPad rMini.

In looking at the specs, the iPad's this year all have the same baseband chip. They all support the full range of LTE bands. Ignoring, for a moment, Verizon and Sprint's silly "we won't use a non-Verizon iPad" policy and deal with just T-Mobile and AT&T, it seems like buying a T-Mobile tablet might be the best way to go...

If you buy a T-Mobile tablet, you have TM sims out of the box, and it should work with the free 200MB/mo deal -- forever. BUT, given that AT&T is just a sim-swap away (and AT&T is fairly easy-going about activating sims/imei's even if it's not officially an AT&T device)..

Am I right? Is a T-Mobile/AT&T device just basically one sim swap away from being used on either network?
Click to expand...
If you are a current tmobile customer that is. If you have no affiliation with tom, you don't get free data
 
maflynn said:
Endgadget seems to be reporting if you're a new customer you have to have a 20 dollar data plan for your free 200mb

Linky
Click to expand...

That's only if you're buying it via. their pay for it monthly thing. If you buy it outright from Apple, there's no $20 min. The Apple website is pretty clear, "Free". I'll just return it if there's an issue....
 
WolfSnap said:
That's only if you're buying it via. their pay for it monthly thing. If you buy it outright from Apple, there's no $20 min. The Apple website is pretty clear, "Free". I'll just return it if there's an issue....
Click to expand...

Please let us know. Just been hearing mixed reports on this "free" thing not really being the case
 
WolfSnap said:
Am I right? Is a T-Mobile/AT&T device just basically one sim swap away from being used on either network?
Click to expand...

Yes you are correct.

----------
maflynn said:
Endgadget seems to be reporting if you're a new customer you have to have a 20 dollar data plan for your free 200mb

Linky
Click to expand...

Engadget is joke! I HAVE a T-mobile iPad Air and signed up for free 200MB data without even giving my credit card info.

----------
dukebound85 said:
If you are a current tmobile customer that is. If you have no affiliation with tom, you don't get free data
Click to expand...

You are completely WRONG!
 
deeddawg said:
100% totally and completely wrong.

(I have 200MB free data on my Verizon ipad3 thanks to the free T-Mobile SIM I ordered a bit ago)
Click to expand...
Same here. I have my old Verizon iPad 3 working with the T-Mobile 200MB free data. Alas, 90MB was used up in one day just browsing these forums so looks like this is only useful for the Find My iPhone service.

The free 200MB data really is free (after the cost of the SIM card). The only time you need to sign up for a plan is if you get the 0% equipment installment plan from T-Mobile and even then, you still get the 200MB free on top of your paid plan.
 
The monthly fee only applies to tablets purchased directly from T-Mobile with $0 money down and 0% APR. Can't get something for nothing.

Otherwise ANYONE with a T-Mobile compatible tablet can simply acquire a Tmo sim card and sign up for the free 200MB directly from the settings menu.
 
slffl said:
Engadget is joke! I HAVE a T-mobile iPad Air and signed up for free 200MB data without even giving my credit card info.
Click to expand...
Engadget is correct.

To get completely free internet access, you'll need to own a fully paid-off device; opt for the carrier's financing and you'll have to tack on a $20 data plan if you aren't already a customer.
Click to expand...
 
WolfSnap said:
I'd like someone to correct and/or confirm my assumptions about the iPad Air/iPad rMini.

In looking at the specs, the iPad's this year all have the same baseband chip. They all support the full range of LTE bands. Ignoring, for a moment, Verizon and Sprint's silly "we won't use a non-Verizon iPad" policy and deal with just T-Mobile and AT&T, it seems like buying a T-Mobile tablet might be the best way to go...

If you buy a T-Mobile tablet, you have TM sims out of the box, and it should work with the free 200MB/mo deal -- forever. BUT, given that AT&T is just a sim-swap away (and AT&T is fairly easy-going about activating sims/imei's even if it's not officially an AT&T device)..

Am I right? Is a T-Mobile/AT&T device just basically one sim swap away from being used on either network?
Click to expand...

Yeah i find it interesting how the Verizon model is the exact same as the ATT/Tmobile version but they wont activate you? I always assumed you could like try and get a data SIM only but that's probably not likely.

If you want future Verizon support you could probably buy a verizon version, and then just go to a tmobile store and get a tmobile sim and still get your free data.
 
I wonder if the current rules for prepaid account expiration still apply. If so, the account you create while signing up for the "free" 200 MB will expire after 180 days if no payment is made (e.g. by buying one of the data passes):

https://support.t-mobile.com/message/210719

So you may have to spend a bit of money from time to time to keep the account alive.
 
J4B3 said:
The monthly fee only applies to tablets purchased directly from T-Mobile with $0 money down and 0% APR. Can't get something for nothing.

Otherwise ANYONE with a T-Mobile compatible tablet can simply acquire a Tmo sim card and sign up for the free 200MB directly from the settings menu.
Click to expand...

Correct.

You only get free 200mb data from T-Mobile if:

1) You bring your own tablet
2) You purchase a new tablet from T-Mobile outright for the full price
3) You can get 200mb free + finance the tablet with no interest IF you are already a T-Mobile customer with a post-paid voice plan (You have to have some established credit history with them).

You can choose to add more data and still receive the 200mb in the form of a $10 credit. The $20 500mb plan thus becomes $10/mo for 700mb. The next plan up would be an additional $10/mo.

________________________________________________________

If you're completely new to T-Mobile and would like to make monthly payments toward an iPad from them, you will be required to add their 500mb data plan for $20/month. They're not going to give you an interest-free loan if you have zero history with them.
 
rui no onna said:
Same here. I have my old Verizon iPad 3 working with the T-Mobile 200MB free data. Alas, 90MB was used up in one day just browsing these forums so looks like this is only useful for the Find My iPhone service.

The free 200MB data really is free (after the cost of the SIM card). The only time you need to sign up for a plan is if you get the 0% equipment installment plan from T-Mobile and even then, you still get the 200MB free on top of your paid plan.
Click to expand...

I didn't even think of doing this until you mentioned it! D'oh. I have an unused T-Mobile sim here (from a T-Mobile phone I won), and I just popped it in my 3rd gen. Took a few minutes of searching, but the APN set itself and I'm up and running on T-Mobile without giving out any information whatsoever. Sweet! Thanks.

4/5 signal strength, 19.91 up, 9.72 down. That's faster than what I get with my Verizon LTE phone!

EDIT: Does not assign a cellular data number - not sure how I would go about signing up for a plan without one?
 
Last edited:
dukebound85 said:
If you are a current tmobile customer that is. If you have no affiliation with tom, you don't get free data
Click to expand...

you're 100% wrong. If you buy the tablet from anyone besides Tmobile w/ financing you get 200mb data free, just stick a Tmo Nano Sim in and you're good to go.
 
Rigby said:
I wonder if the current rules for prepaid account expiration still apply. If so, the account you create while signing up for the "free" 200 MB will expire after 180 days if no payment is made (e.g. by buying one of the data passes):

https://support.t-mobile.com/message/210719

So you may have to spend a bit of money from time to time to keep the account alive.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that applies. Note that it's from several months ago and says:

Yes, prepaid and Monthly 4G SIM cards will expire 60 days from their last use date and you can get a new SIM at any T-Mobile retail store. The account is completely cancelled 180 days from the last payment was made.
Click to expand...

My guess is that the free data account stays live so long as you use it every so often.

Worst case get a new SIM.
 
I bought a iPad Air Verizon model (From Apple) just so I have the option of using AT&T, T-Mobile and VZ.

Currently using T-Mobile for the 200 MB free data plan and paying nothing, sim card was free from Apple Store. :)
 
Just to reiterate as well I purchased my iPad Air with Tmobile sim directly from Apple store and signed up for free 200mb data plan zero credit card, no plan, just 200MB of data month. Free... not a previous customer of TMobile either.
 
Lyshen said:
I bought a iPad Air Verizon model (From Apple) just so I have the option of using AT&T, T-Mobile and VZ.

Currently using T-Mobile for the 200 MB free data plan and paying nothing, sim card was free from Apple Store. :)
Click to expand...

How did you swing a T-Mobile sim from Apple if you bought the Verizon model iPad?
 
Sketchr said:
How did you swing a T-Mobile sim from Apple if you bought the Verizon model iPad?
Click to expand...

Just asked for a T-Mobile Sim card when I was purchasing the iPad and they gave it for free. Just make sure to specify Nano Sim.

The sim cards they have are just like the ones you get from T-Mobile starter kit.
 
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