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

AppleInsider Staff |
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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.