“When Apple Inc. began selling a version of its iPad tablet this year that could connect exclusively to AT&T Inc.’s third-generation wireless network, Sprint Nextel Corp. saw an opportunity,” Greg Bensinger reports for Bloomberg.
“Touting the unlimited data on its portable Wi-Fi devices — AT&T stopped offering unlimited plans in June — Sprint has been luring iPad owners to its network. Sprint’s palm-sized Overdrive 3G/4G hotspot device allows users to connect to the lower-priced Wi-Fi-only iPad from anywhere the carrier has coverage,” Bensinger reports. “The portable Wi-Fi devices give Sprint, as well as Verizon Wireless, a chance to tap into a market otherwise closed to them through Apple’s exclusive contract with AT&T, which has connected 500,000 iPads to its network out of 3.3 million sold. Apple and AT&T have declined to say when their contract ends.”
Bensinger reports, “In June, AT&T stopped offering $29.99 unlimited data plans on the iPad in favor of tiered pricing starting at $25 for 2 gigabytes of data per month, with additional gigabytes of data available for $10 each per month. The Overdrive offers unlimited data for $59.99 per month. A user streaming an average of one 30-minute television show and 30 minutes of music per day would exceed their 2 gigabyte limit by month’s end, according to AT&T’s website. That doesn’t include any e-mails sent or received or additional Internet browsing. Sprint Chief Executive Officer Dan Hesse has said the Overland Park, Kansas-based carrier has no plans to end unlimited data plans, while Verizon Wireless said it will introduce data caps in as soon as four months.”
Read more in the full article here.
My company supplies one of these devices to me so I can connect while on the road. Sprint is NOT offering UNLIMITED 3G Data Plans, only unlimited 4G Data Plans. As their coverage does not cover much of the country, most users are limited to 5Gb per month via the Sprint 3G network.
When I have been in 4G coverage – in Chicago – the speed was INCREDIBLE! I am looking forward to the day I can connect to Sprint 4G in my neighborhood.
My company supplies one of these devices to me so I can connect while on the road. Sprint is NOT offering UNLIMITED 3G Data Plans, only unlimited 4G Data Plans. As their coverage does not cover much of the country, most users are limited to 5Gb per month via the Sprint 3G network.
When I have been in 4G coverage – in Chicago – the speed was INCREDIBLE! I am looking forward to the day I can connect to Sprint 4G in my neighborhood.
There is never a good reason to end unlimited data plans.
These companies just want money. Thank goodness my iPhone data plan got grandfathered in.
But not being able to access unlimited 3G on AT&T could severely alter my iPad purchasing probability.
There is never a good reason to end unlimited data plans.
These companies just want money. Thank goodness my iPhone data plan got grandfathered in.
But not being able to access unlimited 3G on AT&T could severely alter my iPad purchasing probability.
I’m not sure I understand this article. I pay $14.99 a month for 250 MB of 3G data over AT&T’s cellular network, plus unlimited WiFi at their 20,000 WiFi hotspots, so how is paying $59.99 a month to Sprint for a device to access their network a better deal? If I’m going to watch a movie, it will be at home on my own WiFi network, not at Starbucks. I’m certainly not going to sit in a parking lot using their device to watch a movie.
I’m not sure I understand this article. I pay $14.99 a month for 250 MB of 3G data over AT&T’s cellular network, plus unlimited WiFi at their 20,000 WiFi hotspots, so how is paying $59.99 a month to Sprint for a device to access their network a better deal? If I’m going to watch a movie, it will be at home on my own WiFi network, not at Starbucks. I’m certainly not going to sit in a parking lot using their device to watch a movie.
I suppose a heavy mobile user might benefit, but I’ve never come close to using my 2GB plan on my iPhone, and only used up my 250MB plan on my iPad when I was on vacation using it for navigation.
I suppose a heavy mobile user might benefit, but I’ve never come close to using my 2GB plan on my iPhone, and only used up my 250MB plan on my iPad when I was on vacation using it for navigation.
I had WiFi in my vacation condo, so only used the 3G connection when I was out in the car.
I had WiFi in my vacation condo, so only used the 3G connection when I was out in the car.
Virgin Mobile – Has real unlimited data plans.
Virgin Mobile – Has real unlimited data plans.
Grandfathered unlimited to my iPhone 3g. Upgrade someday. I commute and have been catching up on my Whose Line via YouTube. I crushed the 2Gb limit within a week.
Yay Whose Line. Best comedy, ever, since Carol Burnett. Dating myself, I know.
Grandfathered unlimited to my iPhone 3g. Upgrade someday. I commute and have been catching up on my Whose Line via YouTube. I crushed the 2Gb limit within a week.
Yay Whose Line. Best comedy, ever, since Carol Burnett. Dating myself, I know.
So far, in over four months of using ATT’s 3G on my iPad, I’ve used 3.2GB total. As others mention above, I tend to be on WiFi when doing things like watching movies. I doubt I’ll ever use more than 2GB per month, even though I’m grandmothered in to unlimited. I don’t see the big deal here.
So far, in over four months of using ATT’s 3G on my iPad, I’ve used 3.2GB total. As others mention above, I tend to be on WiFi when doing things like watching movies. I doubt I’ll ever use more than 2GB per month, even though I’m grandmothered in to unlimited. I don’t see the big deal here.
Not to mention my iPhone… in almost 3 weeks, I’ve used 90Mb. I’m paying for 2GB but I doubt I’ll even break 200Mb at this rate.
Not to mention my iPhone… in almost 3 weeks, I’ve used 90Mb. I’m paying for 2GB but I doubt I’ll even break 200Mb at this rate.
I easily go over 2gb when I travel, even with WIFI at home, if you use Skype and heavy email, browse etc. I get also into the 2 GB range…
ATT should offer an unlimited or 10GB plan for $49…
The iPad is also meant to be used for media consumption. At home I can watch TV, on the road I want to use the iPad to watch TV, but on 2GB…. its a joke.
Glad to see Sprint given ATT some heat there.
I easily go over 2gb when I travel, even with WIFI at home, if you use Skype and heavy email, browse etc. I get also into the 2 GB range…
ATT should offer an unlimited or 10GB plan for $49…
The iPad is also meant to be used for media consumption. At home I can watch TV, on the road I want to use the iPad to watch TV, but on 2GB…. its a joke.
Glad to see Sprint given ATT some heat there.
Yes, indeed, @Real Unlimited. Check the Virgin Mobile USA Broadband mobile hotspot plans. VMUSA is owned by Sprint now, btw.
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband/mifi-2200.html
currently on back order. A few Best Buy locales have them.
I’ve had a cheap Virgin Mobile phone plan for years, because I don’t talk a lot and cannot stand huge monthly phone bills.
Yes, indeed, @Real Unlimited. Check the Virgin Mobile USA Broadband mobile hotspot plans. VMUSA is owned by Sprint now, btw.
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband/mifi-2200.html
currently on back order. A few Best Buy locales have them.
I’ve had a cheap Virgin Mobile phone plan for years, because I don’t talk a lot and cannot stand huge monthly phone bills.
And in a bit of misleading publishing, here’s how “unlimited” your data plan is for $59,99 a month, straight from the Sprint Shopping cart: Monthly Usage: 4G: Unlimited/3G: 5GB. So it’s only unlimited 4G data…OK…
Now take a look at the 4G coverage map. Pfft. Suck it.
When the number of Sprint subscribers runs into the triple digits and their 4G coverage map doesn’t look like one of the middle of the Amazon rainforest, I’m sure that “has no plans to end unlimited data plans” tune will change for 4G, just like it did for ATT and Verizon for 3G.
And in a bit of misleading publishing, here’s how “unlimited” your data plan is for $59,99 a month, straight from the Sprint Shopping cart: Monthly Usage: 4G: Unlimited/3G: 5GB. So it’s only unlimited 4G data…OK…
Now take a look at the 4G coverage map. Pfft. Suck it.
When the number of Sprint subscribers runs into the triple digits and their 4G coverage map doesn’t look like one of the middle of the Amazon rainforest, I’m sure that “has no plans to end unlimited data plans” tune will change for 4G, just like it did for ATT and Verizon for 3G.
I keep seeing these articles about data from other carriers on the iPad. The key point here is not the entry cost, but the $60/month. You would have to be a damn heavy user to justify that. The difference in buy in price will be negated pretty quickly.