iPad 2 and micro sim question ?!?!?

[Lilybee]

Dear all

My wonderful DB is purchasing an iPad 2 with 3G connection here in the UK. Now, I believe the iPad is unlocked so can take any sim card. I would like to know if my DB could purchase a PAYG sim card over in the US and just pay for when we need it ?

If he can. Who supplies the best network around Disney and how much does it cost to 'top up' ?

Thanks

 

[ccudmore]

I can confirm that the iPads are unlocked and you can simply pop in another SIN. However I can't make any recommendations on carrier - sorry. It may be only available on AT&T but since I'm not from the U.S. I can't confirm that.

 

[Lilybee]

That's fine. Thanks for replying anyways. Will just wait to see if anyone else knows.

 

[SueM in MN]

3G iPads are available in the US from only ATT and Verizon.
I know when you purchase a 3G iPad, it specifies on the box/order which one you are buying.
I am not sure if there is anything inside the iPad itself that is different besides the SIM card.
We were in Europe ( but not in the UK) in February and have Verizon phones. My DH went to the Verizon store before we left to see if we could get SIM cards so we could use our phones there, but was told the system Verizon uses is not compatible with the phones in Europe.
I know that ATT advertises that their phones can be used in Europe, so I would try to get something compatible with ATT for coming to the US.

Hopefully someone who has actual iPad experience can tell you more, but at least this is a start.

 

[neile45]

Verizon and ATT use different types of networks, so their internas are different. One uses GSM (ATT), and the other CDMA (Verizon), and they are not interchangeable. So, when you get here to the USA, you would have to make sure you get the SIM card from the carrier that is compatible with your Ipad 2.

 

[newdeal]

Get a sim from at&t for your ipad and just activate the data on the device for the plan you want. I cant remember the options but i think there are two for differant prices. Very easy to do and no recurring charges. You can probobly buy the micro sim off ebay before your trip or at an at&t store once in the states

 

[GameDevLovesDisney]

Verizon and ATT use different types of networks, so their internas are different. One uses GSM (ATT), and the other CDMA (Verizon), and they are not interchangeable. So, when you get here to the USA, you would have to make sure you get the SIM card from the carrier that is compatible with your Ipad 2.

Verizon (and all CDMA networks) don't use SIM cards, so compatibility issues won't even be a possibility

Your 2 options are AT&T or T-Mobile. T-Mobile's network covers far less territory than AT&T, so personally I'd go with AT&T if I were you. Regardless, here are the links for both prepaid micro-SIMs from Amazon.com

AT&T Prepaid micro-SIM

T-Mobile Prepaid micro-SIM

Hope that helps

 

[Lilybee]

Thanks very much everyone. My DB bought one today. He hasn't put it down yet. He is on O2 at the moment and pays £2 to use the sim card which allows 24 hour access and doesn't need for him to contact the provider. Does ATT use the same thing or do you have to call the call centre after 30 days ???

Thanks again