05-02-2010, 08:44 AM

Anybody planned to have stuck with just the $15 plan...or did you go ahead and get the $30 plan for this month at least? If you tried the $15 plan, have you run out yet? How much is 250mb in real usage? Like say for shopping Amazon, or browsing these forums here? Anyway to monitor how big a page is...before downloading it via 3g?

And finally, if you do the $15 plan, and you are out of your data for the month, will you still have the extra wifi hotspots available?

Probably going to end up on the $30 plan most months...but do really like the option for only do $15 at first. Or wait...if you are on the $15 plan...and you are in the middle of the month...and run out...do you pay $15 more to convert to the $30 plan...or do you have to then pay the $30 and your cycle begins then for the $30 plan???? [Edit: Descriptions seems to indicate the later.]

So many questions about the 3g data plan.

Thanks!!

05-02-2010, 09:25 AM

What? You mean to say they actually have 3G in Beaumont?

05-02-2010, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by bobtomay

What? You mean to say they actually have 3G in Beaumont?

Ok friend to the North! I sure hope so. This would be my first 3g service. If it isn't reliable here in Beaumont...it sure would be nice to know. Map shows it to be available. But if it isn't then I guess my wifi version will be fine...and I can stop calling the 11 Houston locations I just wrote down to try to drive and get one today.

I actually have two iPhones (wife and I) but no phone service. I have Sprint on my cell phone...and am locked in with a really low monthly fee (less than $75, two phones, unlimited web, etc.). But if the 3g in Beaumont is going to be lame...then maybe I need to rethink my plan!

????

05-02-2010, 09:37 AM

Yeah, I don't know what it'd be like, just razzin' ya.

05-02-2010, 09:44 AM

JOY!!! Figured as much...especially once I saw you were in Dallas!

I don't know why I have to get one today...like they aren't going get any here in Beaumont this week...I guess just still upset they dist me on Friday...AND most importantly, I want my freedom today...been waiting for years I guess...and I want it to be over!

05-02-2010, 10:18 AM

I opted for the limited data package just because I will spend most of my time on my iPad at home on my wifi. However I was under the impression that if you approached the 250 megabit limit it would prompt you to upgrade to the unlimited plan and charge the difference for the duration of the month "$15" So if you had 1 week or 1 day left in the month it would still cost 15 but not start your bill cycle over. Am I off this?

05-02-2010, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by tdll1313

So if you had 1 week or 1 day left in the month it would still cost 15 but not start your bill cycle over. Am I off this?

Hmmm...well, the description has CHANGED twice on the Apple site for sure. 3 weeks ago it was vague. Last week it was specific. This week it is back to vague.

Actually, I must be reading different pages slightly...because here is what it says right now:

"If you choose the 250MB plan, you’ll receive onscreen messages as you get close to your monthly data limit so you can decide whether to turn off 3G or upgrade to the unlimited plan."

Two days ago...it did not NOT mention the "turn off 3g"...but it did last week. I must be landing on a slightly didn't page with different descriptions of what happens at the end of the 250mb.

05-02-2010, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by lokerd

Anybody planned to have stuck with just the $15 plan...or did you go ahead and get the $30 plan for this month at least? If you tried the $15 plan, have you run out yet? How much is 250mb in real usage? Like say for shopping Amazon, or browsing these forums here? Anyway to monitor how big a page is...before downloading it via 3g?

And finally, if you do the $15 plan, and you are out of your data for the month, will you still have the extra wifi hotspots available?

Probably going to end up on the $30 plan most months...but do really like the option for only do $15 at first. Or wait...if you are on the $15 plan...and you are in the middle of the month...and run out...do you pay $15 more to convert to the $30 plan...or do you have to then pay the $30 and your cycle begins then for the $30 plan???? [Edit: Descriptions seems to indicate the later.]

So many questions about the 3g data plan.

Thanks!!

Do you men that if you have the 3G you can use AT&T free hotspots too?

05-02-2010, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Voony

Do you men that if you have the 3G you can use AT&T free hotspots too?

Well, I am pretty new to this...not having any ATT service at all...and having never gotten on at a Starbucks...so I am trying to figure all this out also.

05-02-2010, 11:32 AM

Here is a very nice article explaining in human terms (and not MB's) what the $15 plan can get you and what the cost for 1 year is. It's a good read.

Which Apple iPad 3G Plan Is Right For You? | PCMag.com

05-02-2010, 01:48 PM

I remember reading a few months ago that AT&T was struggling with the bandwidth the iphones were using, so it's no surprise to me that they're going to have issues with ipads too.

I remember New York being mentioned as having a particularly difficult time with the network.

05-02-2010, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Voony

Do you men that if you have the 3G you can use AT&T free hotspots too?

Yes, it's true. Apple rep confirmed for me at the store.

05-02-2010, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by tenashus1

Yes, it's true. Apple rep confirmed for me at the store.

Well I wish they would let people who have iPhones and a wifi only iPad use Starbucks wifi as well. How much more do I have to spend to get something in return? Lol

05-02-2010, 02:52 PM

I signed up for the $14.99 plan as a test. Have used 18MB so far, so for daily use on 3G you would need the unlimited plan. My current rate of usage means about a week on the road would burn through 250MBs.

05-03-2010, 11:06 AM

Just checked and I am up to 31MB usage. So somewhere between a week and 2 weeks is all I would get out of 250MB.
Planning on a trip to Lubbock mid month, may have to add to the plan or limit my use away from home till then.