Apple's 3G + Wi-Fi iPad Ships; AT&T Details Data Plan Options

Thought iPad-mania was over? Not quite. The first wave may have passed, but today Apple is making available the newest iPad: iPad 3G + Wi-Fi. This model, as you well know, comes loaded with the same features as the original, but it adds a 3G module and an AT&T Micro-SIM card that allows it to hop onto AT&T's mobile data network in order to access the Web and other connected services from anywhere, even if a Wi-Fi hotspot is nowhere to be found.

This model is a bit more expensive, but it's sure to sell well with this who are constantly on the go and who need access whenever, wherever. Today, AT&T has issued a "Fact Sheet" detailing the data plans that will be available for the new iPad. These are unique, as the iPad is one of the few devices that AT&T will sell data for on a month-by-month basis. With iPhones, you have to lock into a 2-year data plan agreement to get service. There's no contract associated with the iPad, so things are certainly different here.

The iPad data plans will all be pre-paid, and each one (regardless of cost) comes with free access to AT&T's 20000+ Wi-Fi Hot Spots nationwide. Domestic data plan options include a $14.99/month one that provides 250MB of data, while a $29.99/month one includes unlimited data. Both of these can be canceled at any time and re-engaged at any time without penalty. The full text is the plans are below, so be sure and scope it all out before pulling the trigger.
 

AT&T is offering simple and straightforward 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad – complete with
easy, on-device activation and management. Data plans for iPad include access to more than
20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots nationwide at no additional cost. Check out 3G plans for iPad,
and some helpful Q&A, below.
 
Domestic Data Plans for iPad 
Recurring monthly charge with no long term contract
• $14.99 per month for 250 MB 
• $29.99 per month for unlimited data 
• Unlimited access – no added cost – to AT&T’s 20,000+ Wi-Fi
Hot Spots 
 
How do I manage my 3G plan for iPad? Can I turn service off
or change my plan?

Once you sign up for iPad 3G data service, you can add to or
cancel your domestic plan at any time – no penalty. For domestic
plans, if you do not cancel, your service will automatically renew
every 30 days to provide a more seamless data experience on an ongoing basis. For example, if you activate service
on May 9, your service will automatically renew 30 days later with the same plan. If you do make a change, a new
30-day window begins.
 
What happens if I exceed the amount of data in my selected plan before the end of one month?

With the on-device management system, you can check your data usage in Settings>Cellular Data on your iPad at
anytime.  Also, for the $14.99 plan, iPad will even let you know when you’re about to reach your 250 MB data limit.
You’ll get three alerts — at 20 percent, 10 percent, and zero. With each alert, you can choose to add more data or
wait and do it later. 
 
If you do exceed the amount of data in your plan, your plan will expire, but it’s easy to add another one. Also, with
domestic plans, you can wait until the 30th day from your purchase when your plan will automatically renew going
forward.  
 
For additional support, visit www.apple.com/ipad/3g