Prepay data plans for ipad 2

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robbyp

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#79278 15-Mar-2011 21:21

Anyone know of a website that compares data plans of mobile data providers, for the ipad?

Currently I am getting a 3G ipad 2 for an elderly couple, and want them to be able to use it over the mobile network when they are on the move, so am looking at what the best dataplans avalible for them are.
I want them to use prepay, so they don't get hit by any huge bills.

From my brief reasearch, I have seen vodafones plans, which provide 10MB of data for $1 a day, or 250MB of data a month for $20. That is for ok coverage.
2 degees appear to have a $20 plan that offer 1GB of data, but the coverage doesn't appear as good, and it looks like you have to buy the micro sim for and extra $20. 1 GB is a more realisic data amount usage for a month, than just 250MB, so that looks to be the best plan.
Telecoms plans are more difficult to understand but they appear to have better coverage. It appears they have a plan that is $30 for 500MB, and it looks like they charge $30 for a micro sim.

It appears vodafone do have an arrangement with the nz apple store, becuase if you buy the ipad from the apple store, you get the choice of getting a free micro sim card for vodafones network, but not for any of the other networks. Vodafones own website appears to provide the micro sims free too.

They also want to use it overseas, but I pressume in that case, they would be best to get a prepay microsim for the country they visit, rather than have to deal with roaming fees.

Would be interested in what other people choosing with mobile data plans for the ipad. Which network does the ipad work best on?

johnr

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#448692 15-Mar-2011 21:27

You don't have to use the iPad data bundle its just data at the end of the day

SaltyNZ

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2degrees

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#448706 15-Mar-2011 21:51

Well, executive summary, JohnR says Vodafone, I say 2degrees, and Neil says Telecom, IIRC. :)

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

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

1eStar

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#448738 15-Mar-2011 23:43

iPad 2 will arguably work equally well on any network. Data costs are pretty much neck and neck for the truly mobile(2degrees are better priced only in the broadband city zones)
Only advice I can offer for your particular situation is: The Telecom pricing structure on the 500meg prepay addon is far more equitable for those who are not consistent in usage from month to month. 10c per meg up to $30 then 200meg free. I'd recommend this plan purely from the economics of it.

jjnz1

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#448748 16-Mar-2011 07:30

Telecom still do a bonus 1GB on the prepaid $30 512MB plan. So you wil end up with 1500MB.

They also have an awesome pricing structure in that you dont pay per anything per month unless you start using data. When you do use it, you get charged 10 cents per MB until you accumulate $30, then the remaining data is free.

Both vodafone and 2degrees could not even match this when I last checked.

01EG

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#449134 17-Mar-2011 09:21

jjnz1: They also have an awesome pricing structure in that you dont pay per anything per month unless you start using data. When you do use it, you get charged 10 cents per MB until you accumulate $30, then the remaining data is free.

Hi, can you give me a link, I found nothing about it, just a "casual rate", but its different. Cheers

jjnz1

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#449143 17-Mar-2011 10:00

01EG:
jjnz1: They also have an awesome pricing structure in that you dont pay per anything per month unless you start using data. When you do use it, you get charged 10 cents per MB until you accumulate $30, then the remaining data is free.

Hi, can you give me a link, I found nothing about it, just a "casual rate", but its different. Cheers

http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/mobilebroadband/plansandpricing/prepaid

Mobile Broadband 500MB
$29.95 per month
10c per MB capped at $29.95 for up to 500MB in a month. $29.95 price cap applies to your next 500MB too, then it's 10c per MB for anything over that

Also: Just checked my Telecom usage meter and I not longer have a bonus 1GB, bugger!

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

01EG

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#449149 17-Mar-2011 10:26

jjnz1: http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/mobilebroadband/plansandpricing/prepaid

Mobile Broadband 500MB
$29.95 per month
10c per MB capped at $29.95 for up to 500MB in a month. $29.95 price cap applies to your next 500MB too, then it's 10c per MB for anything over that

Also: Just checked my Telecom usage meter and I not longer have a bonus 1GB, bugger!

I see. Its still the monthly plan and there are not much different between 2degree plan of 50Mb - $6.

NonprayingMantis

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#449152 17-Mar-2011 10:43

1eStar: iPad 2 will arguably work equally well on any network. Data costs are pretty much neck and neck for the truly mobile(2degrees are better priced only in the broadband city zones)

Only advice I can offer for your particular situation is: The Telecom pricing structure on the 500meg prepay addon is far more equitable for those who are not consistent in usage from month to month. 10c per meg up to $30 then 200meg free. I'd recommend this plan purely from the economics of it.

this is true if the OP is definitely going for an ipad 2 since it has quad band 3G, but it;s worth pointing out that if he decides to go for an ipad1 (since they have had a price slash) then he should note that the ipad1 only works for 3G on the 850, 1900, 2100 frequrency bands, which meant that 3G works nationwide for Telecom, but only in the urban centres for both Vodafone and 2Degrees

marmel

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#449316 17-Mar-2011 18:00

I have an iphone $40 account and use the micro sim in my ipad. Currently 3GB data per month until further notice, hard to beat that with any dedicated data plan.

codingmonkey

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#454695 3-Apr-2011 02:05

I disagree regarding the frequencies, I still think they'll work equally as good. From iPad 2 website: UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

scottjpalmer

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#454701 3-Apr-2011 06:30

codingmonkey: I disagree regarding the?frequencies, I still think they'll work equally as good.?From iPad 2 website: UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

That is only half the story though, check the specs for the original iPad and you will see that it doesn't have UMTS 900 therefore won't get "3G extended" on Vodafone & 2degrees.