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UK telecoms Three, Orange and T-Mobile launch subsidized iPad plans

by David Quilty Dec 3rd 2010 at 6:30PM

Three iPadFollowing up on the announcement made a few weeks ago, UK telecom providers Three, Orange and T-Mobile formally launched their iPad subsidies today. Those of us in the United States are used to having our cellphone prices subsidized by signing contracts, but so far we don't have anyone subsidizing our iPad purchases as well. The discount plan offers shoppers who enter a two-year service contract money off the price of a new iPad, bringing the price of the 16GB with Wi-Fi + 3G unit down to £199 (plus VAT - Edited: VAT is included thanks @ crisss1205) or the equivalent of US $313 -- a steep discount from the normal price of $629.00 in the U.S..

While the price of the iPad is the same for each provider after the subsidy, each offers their own monthly plan and cost:
  • Three offers 15GB of data per month for £25/month (US $39), with no Wi-Fi coverage included.
  • Orange offers 1GB of data at peak times and 1GB between midnight and 4pm for between £25 and £27. This includes 3GB of Wi-Fi usage using BT Openzone.
  • T-Mobile offers the same data limits as Orange but without any Wi-Fi coverage for between £25 and £27.
Three is definitely offering the best plan for users, especially when compared to the caps that AT&T has in place on their 3G plans at 50MB/month for $14.99 or 2GB/month for $25. Granted there are no contracts in place with AT&T, but iPad buyers in the UK who don't mind signing a contract are seemingly getting a pretty good deal with these new subsidies.

Of course, if you were willing to move to Japan you could get an iPad 3G for free after signing a contract, but it would probably be more cost-effective to stay right where you are and pay full price near home.




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Following up on the announcement made a few weeks ago, UK telecom providers Three, Orange and T-Mobile formally launched their iPad...
 

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???

The iPad in the uk costs about $700 (USD)

December 05 2010 at 3:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jenny

You obviously haven't done your homework about Softbank. They require foreigners to have a valid working visa with the same length of time as the contract and you must use a credit card so they can withdraw payments. After you've been approve you can then get them to switch payment options.

People here make it tough for foreigners to do anything so your suggestion of coming here for an iPad is ludicrous.

I'm in Japan to learn Japanese and you have to have a tough skin to live here.

December 04 2010 at 7:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
C Pham

Isn't AT&T's $14.99 plan 250MB/month and not 50MB/month?

December 04 2010 at 2:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Buy Ipad Cases

To be honest, even on contract its a rip off. You are looking at huge costs over 2 years. Best just to buy it and tether it to your android phone, where there isnt wifi available.

Steven
http://www.buyipadcases.co.uk

December 04 2010 at 9:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jigme

another point not mentioned in the article is the strong difference in quality of service between these providers. Three consistently offer much more for your money on paper but in practice their service is over-subscribed to the point of unusability - truly awful in many, many people's experience. I for one wouldn't enter into another contract with Three even if the iPad was free.

December 04 2010 at 5:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to jigme's comment
SIP

Yet I get between three and five bars on my iPad+3 contract most places I visit. 5-bars in my home county, even in a fast moving car.

December 04 2010 at 8:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jigme

and a monthly salary from Three? :-)

seriously, though - i'm sure that there are /some/ people who get good service from Three in their locality, but i always had problems wherever i went, as apparently do many, many others. and their customer service is atrocious.

December 04 2010 at 9:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Quilty

Harry, you are right, the $ conversion was a typo. Corrected, thanks.

December 03 2010 at 7:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
crisss1205

All prices include VAT.

December 03 2010 at 7:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to crisss1205's comment
crisss1205

Also in the UK the iPad 3G is about $700 not $630 USD

December 03 2010 at 7:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Harry

Your article is a bit inaccurate. For example, my Three plan does come with Wi-Fi, the cost was £199 (already includes VAT), and 15GB of data for £25/month (which is not $24 but closer to $39-40.)

December 03 2010 at 6:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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