Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Verizon iPad 2 may require activation fee
- Thread starter J53119
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
sent the tip to Engadget.. usually more clout than some of these lesser mac sites.
They'll tap Verizon directly for an answer. From there it'll hit CNN or WSJ, both of which are firmly up $teve Job$ butt. Verizon will get called out and will have to spill it.If that's the case, I won't be getting mine tomorrow night from Verizon's store (yes.. the 10th).
I hit up @VZWSupport on Twitter and got the following responses:
@VZWSupport - VZW Support
Although it doesn't appear activation fees apply for ipad2 wifi + 3G data plans, no official info has been announced yet. *GH
VZWSupport VZW - Support
Available 3/11/11 sign up for updates at www.vzw.com/ipad2 *GH
So it sounds like they're still not sure. I guess for me this means holding off on purchasing the new iPad until something a little more concrete is announced.
@VZWSupport - VZW Support
Although it doesn't appear activation fees apply for ipad2 wifi + 3G data plans, no official info has been announced yet. *GH
VZWSupport VZW - Support
Available 3/11/11 sign up for updates at www.vzw.com/ipad2 *GH
So it sounds like they're still not sure. I guess for me this means holding off on purchasing the new iPad until something a little more concrete is announced.
Obfuscation. Non-denial denial. They are going to try to sell as many as possible before it becomes public.
That's very possible. Fortunately I can afford to wait a week or two, if necessary, to find out what Verizon's official policy is going to be.
I contacted David Chartier, author of MacWorld's pricing article, about the matter. He said he asked their Verizon rep about activation fees when researching the article and the VZW rep didn't know the answer.
http://www.macworld.com/article/157071/2011/01/compare_verizon_att_plans.html
http://www.macworld.com/article/157071/2011/01/compare_verizon_att_plans.html
I called Verizon and went to Best Buy today to talk to their mobile department. They said yes there would be activation fees and the people at best buy said that they would probably recharge you the activation fee if you restarted data after not having it for a couple of months. This sucks but since ATT doesn't work where I need to to work, I'm stuck with Verizon. Since $20 a month really isn't that much, once I activate it I will probably just continue every month getting it. I'm sure I'll use 3G at least a bit.
I wrote Verizon earlier in the week about the activation fee on the iPad 2. Here is their response:
"Yes, there is an activation fee for all new lines of service. In your case, the activation fee would be $35. This applies each time that a line activation is requested"
According to this, the fee applies to start service and then every time you re-activate it.
It is pathetic that this isn't clear on their website. It seems their competitive tactic is to hide the fee. Once people are locked in to the Verizon version, they are stuck with the fee and cannot switch. There are going to be MANY very upset people when they find out they bought the wrong iPad.
"Yes, there is an activation fee for all new lines of service. In your case, the activation fee would be $35. This applies each time that a line activation is requested"
According to this, the fee applies to start service and then every time you re-activate it.
It is pathetic that this isn't clear on their website. It seems their competitive tactic is to hide the fee. Once people are locked in to the Verizon version, they are stuck with the fee and cannot switch. There are going to be MANY very upset people when they find out they bought the wrong iPad.
AT&T is not an option for me since where I am they only offer Edge. I really want the Verizon version so I can use the data if I feel I need it on a month to month basis but if there is a $35 activation fee each time that triples the monthly fee...screw that I'd rather just get the WiFi version and give up the 3G before I pay $55 for one gig of data.
Same here. I wanted to test the waters with their 3G network before deciding whether to jump ship when my contract is up.
But there's no way I'm paying a total of $60 every time I want data.
I thought it was only 35 every time you "cancelled" or 6 months with no data. So you can turn it on and off as often as you want as long as you don't let a full 6 months go by.
Is that not correct?
I don't see needing it regularly enough to risk that (basically, only when travelling). And it's especially stupid in light of AT&T's brilliant system. I'm stunned that Apple didn't strongarm Verizon into similar terms.
Apple doesn't care. They let the user chose their demise. Had they cared, they would've added the already-designed qualcomm cdma/gsm chip in their new device. They'll save that for ipad3, as they don't want to give everybody everything they want.
VZW's twitter states they'll post details tomorrow. I guess they're waiting to see how much pre-sale (before 5pm) flak they get before making an "official" decision.
All Things Digital is reporting that Verizon confirmed to them that there is NO activation fee for the data.
http://mobilized.allthingsd.com/20110310/att-confirms-pricing-plans-for-ipad-2-iphone-hotspot/
http://mobilized.allthingsd.com/20110310/att-confirms-pricing-plans-for-ipad-2-iphone-hotspot/
That would be great, if true. Problem is Verizon is telling everyone something different.
Unlike a cell-phone with a contract, there is nothing in writing to confirm the activation fee one way of the other. With the "official" information available now, people will buy a Verizon iPad and have no idea what the truth is. Verizon will be able to charge the fee if/how they want and we will have to pay it.
I have already complained to Verizon about the fee and lack of any communication on the topic. I suggest others do the same. If there is enough outcry, perhaps Verizon will decide to issue a policy statement _before_ people purchase the iPad.
Thanks!! That just made my decision to get the Verizon iPad
Just wish Verizon would have made this a little more known and not have reps saying wrong information.Ok, I called the Verizon Customer service again. They told me that the pre-pay option will have NO activation fee UNLESS you go into a store and get it activated. So as long as you activate the 3G from the Ipad2 or CALL customer service for help there will be NO activation fee.
Take for what it's worth, 3 hours ago I called and they said there would be an activation fee. But, this time I spoke with the pre-paid customer service peeps.
Take for what it's worth, 3 hours ago I called and they said there would be an activation fee. But, this time I spoke with the pre-paid customer service peeps.
Thanks!! That just made my decision to get the Verizon iPad
yep im getting a vzw now i just have to decide 16 or 32. i currently have a 32 so it will probably be hard to go down for so more than likely 32.