Verizon is telling its employees that the iPad represents “an opportunity” for the company to encourage customers to buy the WiFi-enabled version of the device, pair it something like the MiFi, and use Verizon’s network, rather than AT&T’s. Engadget was sent a photo of an internal Verizon web page that touts the benefits of going that route, noting that the 3G version of the iPad costs US$130 more, plus the fee for the 3G service plan.
The web page also describes AT&T’s 3G service as “an overloaded network with limited coverage.” The latter is something that Verizon has repeatedly attacked AT&T on with its successful maps ads, showing much wider 3G coverage across the United States. After AT&T was unable to halt those ads in court, the company retorted with ads that essentially say: “We have 3G coverage in all the major population centers, plus our network is faster and you can talk on the phone and download a document at the same time.”
However, as Engadget points out, the cost for 5GB of data on a Verizon MiFi is $60 per month, twice as much as AT&T’s unlimited 3G plan for the iPad. And while AT&T has been hampered with 3G network problems because of heavy data usage on iPhones, particularly in densely-populated areas, the company’s CEO recently said he expects the WiFi version of the iPad to be more popular than the 3G one.
The screenshot sent to Engadget
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Yes, but according to some blog trolls and clueless tech writers the iPad 3G is “tied” to AT&T.
3G capability is tied to AT&T according to the Verizon circular in the pic.
“Customers who purchase the 3G version & want 3G capability will need to purchase a data plan to use AT&T’s 3G network.”
If you purchase a 3G version you then have 3G capability. What you don’t have is 3G service without buying it from a carrier. AT&T is currently the only service known to be offering 3G service for the iPad.
3G capability isn’t a tangible feature without being able to use it. Semantics aside, you are at the moment tied to AT&T if you want 3G (in the US at least).
I understand that the iPad with 3G is unlocked, so you can use it anywhere if the carrier offers a microSIM.
Please name the carriers that have both a microSIM and a UMTS network that operatos at 850/1900?
Way ahead of you all. We bought a Verizon MiFi for use on the road (works very well) and immediately saw the possibility of using it with a wifi-only iPad. That’s our plan. BTW the MiFi allows an iPhone to connect to Verizon’s 3G network too, just not as a phone. But Skype would work just fine.
I just got my Ipad thanks to the info published in the review, however I was looking for internet service to connect on the road to and I wanted to go with Verizon sorry AT&T but Verizon has coverage everywhere, I found a great deal for Verizon and its even called Verizon49,
I got my data card and service from http://3gstore.com/lease
Here is the kicker 3gstore.com offered me the data service with no contract no credit checks, and on the Verizon Wireless Network for $49.99 that is lower than buying from Verizon itself, It’s one of the lowest price out in the market and now I am able to connect, Oh yeah….
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