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AT&T's no-contract iPad data plans run $15/mo. 250MB, $30 unlimited

Apple revealed it will remain a partner with AT&T for its iPad data plans, with the U.S. wireless carrier offering 250MB of data for $14.99 per month, and an unlimited plan for $30 — both without an annual contract.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs said there are no international plans to reveal yet, but the company hopes to have them in place by the June-July timeframe. The device will come unlocked and will use GSM micro-SIM cards.

"We'll be back this summer with some even better deals for our customers internationally," he said.

Typically, he noted, cell phone companies charge $60 per month for their mobile data plans.

"We think we've got a real breakthrough here," Jobs said.

Jobs said the $14.99 250MB data plan is a "fair bit of data" that most people will "get by on." Both it and the $29.99 unlimited plan come with free access to AT&T's nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots.

"They have more Wi-Fi hotspots than anyone," Jobs said.

As a contract-free purchase, users can buy a 3G-enabled version of the iPad starting at $629. The AT&T network access can be purchased — or canceled — at any time directly from the iPad.

"We think it's a phenomenal offer," Jobs said.

117 Comments

jerseymac 16 Years · 408 comments

Terrible. This from the company that believed in choice. Take off the blue jeans and put on a suit.

rind 16 Years · 66 comments

I like it

Good Pricing and Excellent AT&T Service !

crustyjusty 16 Years · 21 comments

That's my guess on how they're positioning it as only costing $30 a month, but maybe the $130 additional cost somehow covers that.

foo2 18 Years · 1077 comments

And Verizon still has no users of its extensive 3G network, but this does provide the opportunity to expand their coverage into the vast ocean areas. There's an ark for that!

webfrasse 17 Years · 147 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerseymac

Terrible. This from the company that believed in choice. Take off the blue jeans and put on a suit.

Unlocked means you can sign a contract with anyone...