Rumor: AT&T outbid Verizon for the iPad data plan

I hope that if verizon gets the iphone and/or the ipad that it just forces AT&T to finally get a good network. I want this to result in better quality for everyone. Thats what I want. But I also want a verizon iphone since right now I use them and they have much better service then my AT&T friends.

I'm hoping any Verizon iPhone announcement is made in early June - by July I'm travelling quite a bit, and will be buying a 3G iPad for my mobile data needs. If Verizon gets an iPhone, I'll go that route.

Unless the iPad is sporting a dual gsm/cdma chip, and perhaps it does – I have no clue, then this bidding couldn't have taken place for terribly long.

To a certain extent, the AT&T plan makes sense for AT&T...

1) The largest group of first adopters of the iPad will be people who already own an iPhone...so the data load on AT&Ts network will increase, but not exponentially. If you so the same things on your iPad you did on the iPhone, but not simultaneously, they will be getting paid 30 extra bucks to provide the same amount of data...

2) I see the iPad being used more on WiFi than on 3G...the ability to connect on 3G is like a security blanket between WiFI locations. People will be paying 15 or 30 bucks a month for the connectivity equivalent of the Snuggie (or WTF) blanket.

$29.99 is only a heck of a deal for consumers if you're comparing it to something like the MiFi. But, in fact, $30 is exactly how much the iPhone data plan already costs. The only difference is they're allowing you to purchase just the data plan for the iPad, sans voice plan (obviously). I'm not going to pay $30 for data on my iPhone plus another $30 (or even $15) for data on my iPad...that's ridiculous. Chances are, I'd never be using the two simultaneously, so why not let me share the same service between the two devices?

Ideally, wireless data connectivity should work exactly the same way that wired internet access has worked for years -- you pay one amount on one bill for as many devices as you care to connect within that umbrella of service. They could keep a monthly cap on usage (say, 5 GB for your entire account) but within that cap you'd be free to use as many devices as you want without having to pay separately for each and every one.

Verizon can expect a call back when they roll out their LTE-based 4G service.

So much for the theory that Apple is actually mad at AT&T in any way regarding poor service - since this is pretty much going to guarantee that service slows to a crawl.

My next phone will probably be the next generation Nexus, not because it is a better phone, because it probably won't be - but only because it will actually work as a phone and not drop calls (plus the better GPS chip)

I'm just disappointed that I don't get the choice. T-Mobile appear to be supporting micro SIMs, but it's impossible to tell with this country's fragmented infrastructure if the iPad will connect to their network. I'm guessing probably not if Apple have their pants around their ankles for AT&T again.

The best benefit is that the ad hoc nature of the 3G means I'll be able to pick up an O2 SIM when I'm back in the UK and use my iPad there without ridiculous roaming charges or paying twice.

I expect AT&T to NOT be able to support the increased demands on their system, and can imagine driving more iPhone users away from AT&T. I just finished a phone call with a client; we were both at our respective desks, both on iPhones, both showing full bars and our call was dropped 4 times in 45 mins. I'm hopeful there is a Verizon iPhone soon; so as to redistribute traffic.

the world doesn't revolve around the US - by going only on Verizon it limits the number of iPads/iPhones Apple can sell. In case you haven't noticed, CDMA is virtually non-existant outside of North America. Apple learned with the iPhone 3G launch that economies of scale can only be realized when you can get the device in as many hands as possible. By going CDMA Apple would have stifled that growth....