iPad 3G activation while travelling

[pxlbarrel]

Since the podcasters, especially Pete, are iPad saavy (more so than me), I thought I'd ask about how you go about activating the sim card for the iPad when one is travelling.

For example, I'm spending a few days in London before our Med cruise and I would like to get a sim card for my iPad2. Pay as you go iPad data plans are very reasonable in the UK. However, I've heard you need to connect to iTunes to activate the card once you plunk it into your iPad. I'm brining the iPad so I don't have to lug a laptop around. So ... what do I do?

Will the Apple stores in the London sell me a sim card with a data plan on it (and activate it for me in the store)?

I haven't put a sim card in it here ... so no sim card has been activated on my iPad yet.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Nobody knows yet? Hmmm... guess I'll be a trailblazer and find out in about a month.

 

[k5jm]

I do not think you need to hook-up your Ipad to you computer to activate your prepaid sim.

2GB for $25 American here in the states. You should be able to get a sim at an ATT store.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I do not think you need to hook-up your Ipad to you computer to activate your prepaid sim.

2GB for $25 American here in the states. You should be able to get a sim at an ATT store.

I don't want an American one (at least not for this trip). I need one for the UK.

 

[k5jm]

I will be looking for a UK Sim also in a couple of weeks. Deutsche-Telecom should have them in the UK (T-mobile).

 

[pxlbarrel]

I will be looking for a UK Sim also in a couple of weeks. Deutsche-Telecom should have them in the UK (T-mobile).

A lot of stuff I've read on the internet says you need to sync the iPad (or microsim) to iTunes...

 

[WinstonC]

You need to plug the iPad into a computer with iTunes when you first activate it, but not again. Once you arrive in the UK, seek out a Vodaphone, O2, Orange or 3 store and get a SIM card. The carrier should be able to give you info on the available plans and might be willing to help you activate it right then and there. Good luck!

 

[WinstonC]

Let us know your experience once you get back.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Let us know your experience once you get back.

I surely will! I'm going to try 3. They have a store across from Charing Cross and I'll be in that area on our first day in London. I know exactly where it is (and I found it on Google Street too..... what a wonderful tool!). LOL

Now if I could only get one that works on the Magic. hahaha oh well...

 

[pxlbarrel]

OK, here's what happened:

I went to a 3 Store and asked for the sim for my iPad. 10 GBP for 1 Gig of data (for 1 month). She also offered up more gig but 1 gig is more than enough for me. She got a pin out to insert into iPad to release the sim tray and inserted the sim card in for me. The iPad found the 3G service right away. No need to sync with itunes or anything else. Now, my iPad had never seen a sim card before but that may not matter.

If anybody's looking for a 3 Store in a touristy area, the one I went to was directly across from Charing Cross tube/rail station which is a few steps away from Trafalgar Square. I had wifi in the hotel but having the 3G made it possible to check into the airline while I was on a rail platform waiting for the train. LOL It was also faster than the hotel's snail's pace wifi so it was worth the 10 GBP.