iPad 3G - best option for occasional data use, prepay

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josephhinvest

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Topic # 64768 22-Jul-2010 11:03

I plan to purchase an iPad 3G in the coming months, when finally have saved enough $$!

I am currently a very happy 2degrees customer with my iPhone (1st gen). I only occasionally use mobile data, and the 2degrees casual data rate is fine for me. (I'm not a big mobile spender!)

My question is, what will be the best option for casual 3G data on iPad? (Wifi at home, work, family's places etc so will only need occasionally, on the road etc)

Ideally I would buy another 2degrees SIM and chop it down, and use data only on a new prepay account. This would seem the best solution for me, but 2degrees does not yet have 3G network.

My current iPhone 2degrees spend is only around $10 per month, including calls, texts, data.
I would not frequently use 250 MB each month as per Vodafone for $20 per month, and I resent having unused data disappear at then end of the month!

I guess I'll go with the Vodafone 250MB monthly on a new prepay account, until the 2degrees 3G network comes online.

Any other ideas? Does Telecom offer prepay (not monthly, not expiring) 3G data?

Thanks,
Joseph.

SaltyNZ

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Reply # 354808 22-Jul-2010 11:08

Well, 2degrees obviously. I'm on 2degrees, and I love it! :-D

iPad Air + iPhone SE + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

josephhinvest

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Reply # 354810 22-Jul-2010 11:11

SaltyNZ: Well, 2degrees obviously. I'm on 2degrees, and I love it! :-D

I iz confused! Does 2degress have 3G network already?

<edit>

OK, sorry for lameness. I've now read more in the forums, and looked more at the 2degrees website.
Forums indicate one can connect via 3G, but (I may have it wrong) that it is a EDGE or 2G speeds.

So this suggests I'll be able to use an iPad, but not at full 3G speed.
I also see on the 2degrees site there is the 50MB data pack for 6 bucks, this is more my style.

Cheers,
Joseph.

SaltyNZ

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Reply # 354815 22-Jul-2010 11:20

jofizz:

I iz confused! Does 2degress have 3G network already?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10660356

Today's Herald...

iPad Air + iPhone SE + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

mattk

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Reply # 354824 22-Jul-2010 11:42

My choice is the 500MB TC prepay -

It's 10c/MB untill you hit 300MB ($29.95) then the next 200MB within that month is free:

+ $60 top up gets you $20 free credit
+ no monthly fixed charge
+ if you only use less than 300MB it's 10c/MB (50-100MB in a month it's only $5-$10)

I'm trimming the card tomorrow morning =D keen to see how much data the ipad chews thru, my evil plan just might not work...

SaltyNZ

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Reply # 354838 22-Jul-2010 11:53

mattk: keen to see how much data the ipad chews thru, my evil plan just might not work...

I've been using mine hard out for a month. Used maybe 250MB.

iPad Air + iPhone SE + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

josephhinvest

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Reply # 354988 22-Jul-2010 16:09

Thanks SaltyNZ and mattk for your comments.
I think I will likely go for 2degrees, I'm already a happy 2degrees customer, so am happy to give them more business.

I guess I'd need to set up the SIM in a phone first? And I wont receive any texts that 2degrees send to that number? Should be fine as long as I manage the account through the website.

Cheers,
Joseph.

mattk

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Reply # 354995 22-Jul-2010 16:20

I'd love to use 2d but I want the 3g speeds and coverage xt has :-( also bigger data packs would be nice! My laptop seems to eat about 15-20mb a session and I want to use my ipad on my 45min bus ride every day :-) i'm going to use the 500mb plan and go from there :-) hey sally, how easy is it to switch between 3g and wifi? Is it automatic when you come in range of a known access point?

webup

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Reply # 355044 22-Jul-2010 17:46

mattk: how easy is it to switch between 3g and wifi? Is it automatic when you come in range of a known access point?

Yes once youre in range of a known wifi signal.