What's the best way to buy data on an iPAD2 these days?

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › What's the best way to buy data on an iPAD2 these days?

lchiu7

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#85999 29-Jun-2011 11:07

A colleague just purchased an iPad2 and went into the Wellington 2D store (Willis St) to get a microSIM with 3G of 3G data. That went okay.

But he was confused about when he would be using that data since he plans to travel outside the 2D 3G area. I said I thought then he would be on national data and since the SIM card was not on a plan it might not even work since I didn't think national data charge could be accrued.

I thought he would have to buy some national data and pointed to him the posting in this forum on how to purchase data packs on an iPad. That is well and good but there is no way for the user to know the current usage since the iPad cannot receive SMS. So does the user still have to stick the SIM into another phone to get the registration SMS and then use the web site to check on data?

Jsut wondering. Thanks

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scottjpalmer

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#487341 29-Jun-2011 11:13

lchiu7: So does the user still have to stick the SIM into another phone to get the registration SMS and then use the web site to check on data?

Yes

2degreesCare

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#487349 29-Jun-2011 11:23

Thanks Scott, the MicroSIM is designed to be used in a normal phone for this purpose, before popping it into the iPad.

Get your friend to update his details and email address etc to in the Monthly draw and so we can email him Rewards Club offers.

^POB

lchiu7

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#487501 29-Jun-2011 17:01

OK - I think we have an iPhone around we can do it on or I can rustle up an adapter.

What about National data? If he has no national data if he goes into an area where there is no 3G coverage I guess he will have no data at all?

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amanzi

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#487542 29-Jun-2011 20:00

lchiu7: OK - I think we have an iPhone around we can do it on or I can rustle up an adapter.

What about National data? If he has no national data if he goes into an area where there is no 3G coverage I guess he will have no data at all?

Once you've registered with Your 2degrees, you'll be able to top up credit from your credit card and buy data packs all from the iPad. Even if you run out of data, you'll still be able to access the Your 2degrees site from the iPad.

Toiletduck

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#487550 29-Jun-2011 20:27

lchiu7: OK - I think we have an iPhone around we can do it on or I can rustle up an adapter.

What about National data? If he has no national data if he goes into an area where there is no 3G coverage I guess he will have no data at all?

National data (outside of the current cities of 2degrees coverage) can be used over the rest of the country which will be 3G coverage with their roaming partner Vodafone. If you dont have any BB data or Nat data valuepacks then it will eat your credit (if you allow it to).
The iPad3 can be used anywhere in N.Z, Broadband data is best within AKL,WEL,CHCH and Queenstown, Nat roam datapacks for the rest of the country.

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

lchiu7

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#487745 30-Jun-2011 10:55

Presumably if the SIM has no national data on it, then if the iPad is tried to be used in an area with no 3G it will just fail. But you can still access the 2D site to top it up (assuming you managed to negotiate the arcane process of registering the online account by putting the microSIM in another phone).

Can't really blae 2D here - it's a limitation of the iPad and SMS I guess.

If you can't put your microSIM in another phone, can 2D complete the registration process over the phone for you?

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2degreesCare

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#487814 30-Jun-2011 12:57

lchiu7: Presumably if the SIM has no national data on it, then if the iPad is tried to be used in an area with no 3G it will just fail. But you can still access the 2D site to top it up (assuming you managed to negotiate the arcane process of registering the online account by putting the microSIM in another phone).

Can't really blae 2D here - it's a limitation of the iPad and SMS I guess.

If you can't put your microSIM in another phone, can 2D complete the registration process over the phone for you?

It should work where there's no 3G on EDGE or 2G with our roaming partner (obviously not as fast and we'd recommend a National Data Pack) for it to work outside our MBB zones (you'll also have to text 'unlock' to 233 to use standard data rates.

Some customers have managed to fit the MicroSIM into a normal phone and complete the sign up process.
If you need help in the sign up process please call 0800 022022 however the password has to be sent to the MSISDN being registered.

^POB

alasta

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#487835 30-Jun-2011 13:39

lchiu7: Can't really blae 2D here - it's a limitation of the iPad and SMS I guess.

It's annoying that they don't offer an alternative signup process though.

It's my understanding that you can actually buy data packs via the web site but if you don't want your data pack to roll over then you have to cancel it via SMS.

lchiu7

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#488680 2-Jul-2011 20:50

Solved the problem. I remembered I had purchased a microSIM cutter and it came with two plastic holders to allow a microSIM to be inserted into a regular phone. We did that (it was a tight fit!), signed up for My2D, got the SMS to the phone, created the account and all is good now.

It took me a while to explain to him the difference between 3G data and National Data and when would be used when (I think I got it right).

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.