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There is no data cost so long as you stick to the 200MB.
In the link above it says that you need an active T-Mobile account to receive the free data. This means you will either have to have a postpaid plan, or keep a prepaid account alive (which, if I remember correctly, means adding at least $10 every 90 days or so). Still a very good deal.
 
This is quite crazy, essentially an interest free two year loan for an iPad (payed back monthly, of course.) I was thinking about holding off for now, but this is kind of a crazy deal especially once you add in the bonus 200MB/month.
 
In the link above it says that you need an active T-Mobile account to receive the free data. This means you will either have to have a postpaid plan, or keep a prepaid account alive (which, if I remember correctly, means adding at least $10 every 90 days or so). Still a very good deal.

The part I read was this:
T-Mobile is the only national wireless provider to offer tablet owners up to 200 MB of free 4G LTE data every month for as long as they own their tablet, even if they’re not yet a T-Mobile customer.
So the question is, does even being on the free plan count as a customer? There's also this line which again, is not terribly clear.
200 MB free data every 30 days with qualifying Mobile Internet account on eligible device.
Does signing up for this give you that qualifying internet account? To make things more confusing, on their own site we have this:
Can I get $0 down and free data without being on a Simple Choice monthly plan? - Yes. Of course, all tablet customers are entitled to the 200MB/month free data for life offer.
Than two lines down you see this?? :confused:
If you don’t have a Simple Choice voice plan you will need to be on a Simple Choice Mobile Internet plan.
It's like they contradict themselves in the same question.

Sadly though I think you're right, the last question specifically says if you cancel your paid plan you loose this. I'm suprised how misleading this whole thing is. Also on Apple's site it says no where that you need an account when choosing the T-Mobile route, I have a feeling that if you do need a post-paid account, a LOT of people are gonna be pissed after they've ordered. All I know is, if you do need a paid account with them, than this whole thing is completely worthless to me. :(
 
iPad Mini?

I don't see any mention of iPad Mini anywhere other than saying that they're doing this for all tablets. It just seems odd that they're highlighting the iPad (which I am still having a hard time calling it that).
 
Sadly though I think you're right, the last question specifically says if you cancel your paid plan you loose this. I'm suprised how misleading this whole thing is. Also on Apple's site it says no where that you need an account when choosing the T-Mobile route, I have a feeling that if you do need a post-paid account, a LOT of people are gonna be pissed after they've ordered.
It should work with prepaid passes (but then you have to keep the account from expiring by regularly topping it up). See here (first question):


"In order to get the 200 MB of free Starter Data, you need to have an active Mobile Internet account with T-Mobile.

If you are a postpaid customer, you’ll need to have an On Demand data plan at minimum which is $0/mo. if you are a voice customer (after $10 line credit).

If you are a prepaid customer, you’ll need to activate a prepaid account. You do not have to a purchase data pass in order to access your free Starter Data. T-Mobile does not require an annual service contract."

All I know is, if you do need a paid account with them, than this whole thing is completely worthless to me. :(
Well, I think it is pretty clear that they will not just give away the bandwidth for nothing at all in return. After all, they have to run a business. But the cost is pretty minimal when using prepaid passes.
 
Seems like a very good deal. Verizon has much better coverage in my area, but seeing that i can get 200MB for free and the ability to pay for the iPad monthly with no interest, this is too good of a deal to pass up.
 
Well, I think it is pretty clear that they will not just give away the bandwidth for nothing at all in return. After all, they have to run a business. But the cost is pretty minimal when using prepaid passes.

The idea would have been, as many other businesses have done, to charge when you need more than the free provides. But if they wanna tie an account to it then they just sealed their fate with getting nothing.
 
Tmobile isn't making any money on this if u don't buy any extra data. They're hoping that you would buy more data since 200mb is a lot and wifi is not available ant where.

Well, I imagine they also still get the portion of the sales price they'd normally get as a reseller, just a bit deprecated in the accounting books for offering it out as a zero-interest loan.
 
Never had a 3G/4G capable tablet. Is there a way to see how much data you're using? May be better to switch to FreedomPop for the rest of the month when free T-Mobile data runs out.
 
I think you have to be a post-paid simple choice customer, because of the credit check, in order to take advantage of the zero percent financing.

But the CEO said that you don't even have to be a customer already? I am fine with the credit check and having an account open, but I am just trying to see if I have to pay for data to get this deal (The $26/mo for two years plus 200MB data/month.)
 
Isn't it too good? I mean I hope it is but how does TMob. makes money out of this deal? Device + free 200mb in 24 payments. And the cost is the same as you would buy from Apple store in 1 payment and no data included.

Because they buy the iPads from Apple at a reduced cost then charge you the normal cost of the iPad over 24 months. That means they have a nice 2 year cash flow coming in and will be all profit for them after you pay them what they paid Apple. Securing a future cash flow is always good for business. And, as was also stated in a later post, they are hoping you'll pony up for data beyond the free 200mb/month allotment.

I think it's a very clever move to increase market share. And if enough people do it, they will generate enough cash flow to build out their network in more areas which will only make them a more attractive alternative carrier.

Brilliant marketing IMO.
 
I always get the basic WiFi but this is intriguing. Do we get the option of paying off the iPad early, say to sell it next year when the next one comes out? Thanks!

You can pay it off as early as you want.

----------

I called a rep and she said you just pay the monthly payoff amount and that's that. You can pay more for higher data plan if you want it. If you want to pay more monthly to pay it off quicker...go ahead.
 
So essentially, I can get a retina iPad Mini for $22/month and get 200mb worth of data? (I wouldn't need more than that since the Mini would basically stay at home, connected to my wifi network)

I imagine T-Mobile won't have this offer around long since people would pounce on it right away (like myself).
 
So THAT's why Sprint is offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 for $50 plus a $5/month data, they knew this was coming, hehe. I wondered why they were doing such a deal on that.
 
No 128GB? :(

I hope you can bring your own 128gb tablet to T-Mob then, but yes, I don't see them with a 128gb option and of course it is what I intended on getting.

I hope to buy my iPad at Best Buy, probably with LTE, then pick up a T-Mob sim with the 200mb free. When I travel, I'll get the 1gb plan for a week or two a month.
 
So essentially, I can get a retina iPad Mini for $22/month and get 200mb worth of data? (I wouldn't need more than that since the Mini would basically stay at home, connected to my wifi network)

I imagine T-Mobile won't have this offer around long since people would pounce on it right away (like myself).

Be sure and pre-register at the site, or by phone. I just talked to them for about 20 minutes, asking questions, and the guy said the initial offering for the iPhones 5s and 5c were Gone in less than four hours :eek:

I'm getting the iPad Air ;) Still contemplating whether it will be the 32 or 64 GB, but there's a while yet to decide.
 
Apple Store

Apple Store already listing tmobile with 16GB as 250mb free. check it out.
think we have a option of buying directly from Apple :apple:
 
Be sure and pre-register at the site, or by phone. I just talked to them for about 20 minutes, asking questions, and the guy said the initial offering for the iPhones 5s and 5c were Gone in less than four hours :eek:

I'm getting the iPad Air ;) Still contemplating whether it will be the 32 or 64 GB, but there's a while yet to decide.

I appreciate the heads up. I'll take a look on their web site.
 
Does anyone know if you can pay off your ipad prior to the 24 month period? I have the cash but figured I'd rather have it in my pocket now versus giving it away :D
 
Does anyone know if you can pay off your ipad prior to the 24 month period? I have the cash but figured I'd rather have it in my pocket now versus giving it away :D

In the fine print it says if you leave before 24 months then you need to pay the rest of the total all at once. So, yes, you could theoretically pay off the remainder of the price at any time.
 
no 128g?

i notice that there is no 128gig option. i really would love to have the 128gig - anybody know for SURE i can't pay a downpayment of $299 (instead of $1000 up front) for thet mobile? i hope they do.
 
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