JMHO but I don't see the issue here. I'd expect additional strings if you're taking advantage of their installment plan. Want free data, buy the device outright. Was there a press release saying you could buy on installment plan and get the free data?
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Carrier T-Mobile Lied - Free Data is $10
- Thread starter TeddyBeher
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JMHO but I don't see the issue here. I'd expect additional strings if you're taking advantage of their installment plan. Want free data, buy the device outright. Was there a press release saying you could buy on installment plan and get the free data?
yes there was. Direct quote:
"T-Mobile will offer iPad Air and iPad mini, both with Wi-Fi + Cellular, starting Nov. 1 and iPad mini with Retina display with Wi-Fi + Cellular later in November. When T-Mobile's iPad line-up hits online and participating retail stores, the company will offer the revolutionary tablets starting at $0 down for qualified customers. And every T-Mobile iPad user will receive 200 MB of free 4G LTE data every month for as long as they own their iPad, even if they aren't yet a T-Mobile customer."
Yes. Linked or quoted on page one of this thread.
Sounds to me as though the press release isn't matching what is happening today.
Wait... So you inserted a T-Mobile SIM in an iPad that wasn't originally made for a T-Mobile, and you were able to activate service in Settings-Cellular Data?
We had been discussing whether SIM swapping, with support for on-device activation, would be possible. It looks like it it.
So to be clear... People who bought their iPads and paid all up front do have the free 200MB through the iPad's built in activation app, but people who want to sign up for installment plans are being forced to buy a $10 data plan?
That's not surprising, and is entirely consistent with the press release.
All T-Mobile customers do receive an extra 200MB on top of their previous tier (2.7GB, instead of 2.5GB, etc). If you have a fully paid for device, you are able to get 200MB free, no strings.
But if you want T-Mobile to give you 0% financing for 24 months, they make you sign up for a monthly plan. They said this in their press conference. They actually said that the cheapest plan was 500MB for $20, but it looks like they're also offering on demand (with the first 200MB free) for $10. That's entirely reasonable.
The point is that it's not the free 200MB that costs money. It's that financing an iPad through T-Mobile requires you to have a plan, and the cheapest plan they offer is $10.
Now, if someone bought an iPad, fully paid for it, and isn't seeing a 200MB for Free option in the iPad's activation app, that might be a problem. But I don't think that's happening. There may be some glitches in activating SIMs on T-Mobile's website, but the installment plan requirement is not.
Can you check your iPad imei at iphoneimei.info and see if it is unlocked. I am curious as to whether these T-mobile iPad is locked to them only.
I just tried a mock order and I'm seeing $10 for the On Demand Plan. It was also $10 earlier this morning when I ordered mine.
Sure, I also put a T-mo sim into my AT&T iPad mini. I just had to set up an account like I would on a AT&T sim in Settings->Cellular. Very simple. $0/mo on demand. 200MB/mo starter pack free.
Move the slider back and forth. Seems to start out incorrectly.
Guessing there's something wonky going on with TMO's website. Probably best to sit back a day or two for it to get sorted out / clarified. Doesn't look like there's going to be a big issue with availability.
I am able to activate mobile hotspot on my mini with this free T-mo 200MB. No reason that wouldn't work on the new air.
Interesting - it sounds like if you buy a cellular iPad they're unlocked (as they should because you're buying them outright) - then you can add in any sim...
I think others have already said this, but here was my experience this morning...
1.) I am NOT a t-mobile customer
2.) I got to the store first, got my ipad air, explained to the employee the promotion which he didn't know anything about.
3.) Got setup with the plan eventually after the manager called around
4.) Was signing the final documentation when they showed me the 10$ a month charge since I was not a T-Mobile customer. I told them this was not what was advertised. They called around, said you get a 10$ a month credit if you are a T-Mobile customer. Since I was not, they had to sign me up for a plan.
5.) I returned the Ipad and got all my money back. So I was out 2 hours of my life.
1.) I am NOT a t-mobile customer
2.) I got to the store first, got my ipad air, explained to the employee the promotion which he didn't know anything about.
3.) Got setup with the plan eventually after the manager called around
4.) Was signing the final documentation when they showed me the 10$ a month charge since I was not a T-Mobile customer. I told them this was not what was advertised. They called around, said you get a 10$ a month credit if you are a T-Mobile customer. Since I was not, they had to sign me up for a plan.
5.) I returned the Ipad and got all my money back. So I was out 2 hours of my life.
Is that because you are doing the $0 down / installment option to buy the iPad? So far that's what people are experiencing, namely you can't do the $0 down and get free 200MB plan if you are not an existing t-mo customer w/ a voice plan.
I ordered one. If they enforce the extra $10mo I will just buy it outright(was going to do that anyway). I was looking over the contract the have you sign for the installment and nowhere in it does it say you have to have service. I believe they have no way to force the $10mo charge. I won't be activating with the sim they send. I will use one of the free ones I ordered. We shall see
I was buying the 32gb, so I was paying 99$. Other than that, yes I was financing the rest. It may be the case that if you finance you have to have a 10$ plan, but that isn't how it was advertised. I have a feeling the idea was to get non-tmobile customers in the store, like myself, then hope they just accept the 10$ charge since they've already wasted alot of time.
I think they are only giving you post paid option on the website... that is what it looks like. You'll need to go to the store buy the device and not activate it to get pre-paid. I'm going to try to get an At&t and use the 99 cent t-mobile card I got last month to activate it. Anyone know if the phone sims and data sims are any different? A logical assumption would be they are the same thing that just activates differently on different devices... Anyone know for sure?
Same SIM. I got regular prepaid SIM in my iPad mini.
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Yes, t-mo did not state that clearly in their advertising materials.
Just to clarify so I'm not mistaken...
It's a standard pre-paid Nano SIM advertised for the iPhone 5 and currently selling for $0.00 on the T-mobile website. They're selling the "Data SIMs" for 99 cents currently... but I'm guessing they're trying to trick people into paying the extra dollar to get a "data SIM" vs an "iPhone SIM" when in actuality they are the same thing.
Yes, the iPads are unlocked and the T-Mobile view account settings come up on an AT&T iPad 4.
The $0 SIM will work just fine. I got them last year and I also got 2 more few days ago.
No account needed...
I just got the free 200 MB plan.
I "purchased" a nano sim off of the tmobile website a couple months ago. The sim price was free with free shipping, so purchased isn't really the right word
I powered off my ipad 3, then I took the ATT sim out and replaced it with the tmobile sim. I then booted the ipad and turned on cellular data. The ipad auto recognized my tmobile sim. I didn't know what to do next so I opened up safari. I was immediately taken to a tmobile registration page where I was asked for my name, date of birth, zip code, email address, and a password and pin for the account. I put in all the info and submitted the form.
Poof, a couple seconds later I got a confirmation screen with my mobile number (don't know what that is about) and a confirmation that my sim is enrolled in the free 200mb plan.
I'm posting this note on tmobile cellular. In my town, unfortunately, we don't have LTE, so the status bar reads 3G. But hey, it's free!
So, you don't need a 10$ plan, if you own your device. Just put in a sim and go! cool!
I just got the free 200 MB plan.
I "purchased" a nano sim off of the tmobile website a couple months ago. The sim price was free with free shipping, so purchased isn't really the right word
I powered off my ipad 3, then I took the ATT sim out and replaced it with the tmobile sim. I then booted the ipad and turned on cellular data. The ipad auto recognized my tmobile sim. I didn't know what to do next so I opened up safari. I was immediately taken to a tmobile registration page where I was asked for my name, date of birth, zip code, email address, and a password and pin for the account. I put in all the info and submitted the form.
Poof, a couple seconds later I got a confirmation screen with my mobile number (don't know what that is about) and a confirmation that my sim is enrolled in the free 200mb plan.
I'm posting this note on tmobile cellular. In my town, unfortunately, we don't have LTE, so the status bar reads 3G. But hey, it's free!
So, you don't need a 10$ plan, if you own your device. Just put in a sim and go! cool!
I just got the free 200 MB plan.
I "purchased" a nano sim off of the tmobile website a couple months ago. The sim price was free with free shipping, so purchased isn't really the right word
I powered off my ipad 3, then I took the ATT sim out and replaced it with the tmobile sim. I then booted the ipad and turned on cellular data. The ipad auto recognized my tmobile sim. I didn't know what to do next so I opened up safari. I was immediately taken to a tmobile registration page where I was asked for my name, date of birth, zip code, email address, and a password and pin for the account. I put in all the info and submitted the form.
Poof, a couple seconds later I got a confirmation screen with my mobile number (don't know what that is about) and a confirmation that my sim is enrolled in the free 200mb plan.
I'm posting this note on tmobile cellular. In my town, unfortunately, we don't have LTE, so the status bar reads 3G. But hey, it's free!
So, you don't need a 10$ plan, if you own your device. Just put in a sim and go! cool!
This was my exact experience except for "Poof, a couple seconds later." It took several minutes for me to activate, but that may just be that it's lunchtime in my state now so more people have a spare few minutes to set up and activate.