Looking for the best iPad data tariff? Look no further - we've details on the iPad data deals from four of the major networks.
Orange, O2, Vodafone and Three have all announced iPad support. The iPad uses a new type of SIM, called a microSIM, essentially the same size as the contacts on a standard SIM card.
The iPad 3G is shipped unlocked, so if you want to buy a more expensive iPad Wi-Fi + 3G model you'll need to take out a deal or pay-as-you-go arrangement with a provider.
If you pre-order an iPad, you can also choose to be sent a micro SIM from one of the three networks for the simple sum of 20p.
Three iPad data plans
Three has unveiled the cheapest iPad data plan.
It has taken the simple approach to iPad data, with two plans on offer: £7.50 per month for 1GB of data, and £15 per month for 10GB. That's a great deal when you compare it with the other networks.
Vodafone iPad data plans
Vodafone is the only network to not offer the iPad 3G with pay as you go data - only monthly contracts are on offer. If you're interested in Vodafone's iPad microSIM then you're going to have to pick up a 30-day rolling contract.
For £10 per month, you'll be getting 1GB of data, meaning you'll probably be doing some basic surfing and perhaps getting map-tastic when out and about.
But for £25 a month, you'll be offered 5GB of data.
For those of you that like to head abroad with your shiny new toy, then you can pay £9.99 per day and get 50MB of data - a little steep, but a lot cheaper than just paying normal rates for data and being hit with a ridiculous bill.
Weirdly, the Vodafone plan doesn't include Wi-Fi as part of the plan - when you consider that Orange will give you 10GB of data and 750MB of fair use Wi-Fi around the country for £25, the 5GB deal seems a little paltry.
At least it tallies with Vodafone's phone data stance - perhaps now we'll properly see an end to the fictional 'unlimited data' tariffs networks are pretending to offer consumers.
O2 iPad data plans
O2 offers a pay as you go deal or monthly data but, like Vodafone, the blue network has fewer options than Orange.
If you fancy 500MB of 3G data, it will cost you £2 per day, but curiously you can go for a monthly recurring contract of £10 for 1GB of data.
How that works when the same £10 will get you 2.5GB of data on the PAYG plan, we don't know.
You can also get 3GB of 3G connectivity for £15 per month on a recurring deal, but there's no 10GB option like you get with Orange.
However, with O2's plans there is unlimited Wi-Fi on offer from BT Openzone hotspots - this is subject to a fair use policy, but there's no mention of a definite cap from O2.
You can also directly buy more data from the iPad on the O2 plan, rather than having to contact the network directly to confirm or remove your plan.
Orange iPad data plans
On Orange, pay-as-you-go data bundles are the most interesting, as you'll basically be charged 5p for every MB you consume, which equates to £50 for a single GB of data.
Alternatively, you can go for the iPad Daily scheme: £2 for 200MB per day, from midnight to midnight.
iPad Weekly is a similar tariff, with £7.50 giving you 1GB for seven complete days' usage.
And as a cheeky little bonus the Orange iPad micro SIM comes with £10 of credit in the UK as well - good enough to get you going - although it would only give 200MB of data on the PAYG rate.
iPaid for the iPad
And then there's the more familiar plans: iPad Monthly 15 and iPad Monthly 25, with the prices (you've guessed it) £15 and £25 per month respectively.
The former will net you 3GB of data and unlimited (well, fair use 750MB of data) Wi-Fi use, with the latter upping the 3G offering to 10GB per month plus the Wi-Fi.
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