The guys over at Tableau Software created this interesting chart that shows data cost for the iPad 3G in every country that currently carries the iPad. As you can see there is a huge gap between the cheapest (Singapore) and the most expensive one (France).
The US is one of the most expensive countries in term of iPad 3G data. However if you're one of the few people who were grandfathered in the unlimited plan for $30, you have a pretty good deal.
[Gizmodo]
If you have both an iPhone 4 and an iPad 3G, I'm sure you tried to switch SIM cards to see if you could get free 3G on your iPad using your iPhone 4 data plan. In that case, you probably were unsucessful and even though you would get 3G connection, you couldn't make use of it.
The guys over at TUAW figured out that to get your iPhone 4 3G data plan on your iPad 3G, you simply need to change the APN settings. To do so, go to your iPad settings under the Cellular Data section, enter the following APN info:
APN name: wap.cingular username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM password: CINGULAR1Then reboot your iPad and you should be good to go.
Needless to say that AT&T might not be very happy about this little workaround. Like always when using those kinda tricks, be careful as AT&T might figure out what you're doing and send a SWAT team over to your house to get this iPad back or something.
As I was driving along the Mexican border between Phoenix and San Diego yesterday, I received this text message from AT&T, which I assume thought I was already on the other side of the border. The text message was sent to alert me of the prices abroad.
Almost a dollar per minute for phone calls! $20 per MB? Really? That sure is going to be some expensive emails...
The moral of this story, if any, is that you should always be careful what you do with your iPhone when traveling oversea, especially with data which can run in the background and get you bad surprises at the end of your trip.
If you're going to use your iPhone abroad, I suggest you check out these tips for traveling overseas with an iPhone.
Yesterday I told you about AT&T's new data plans. While these plans will benefit a large majority of iPhone owners, there is still a few of us who'll have to closely monitor our data usage to make sure we don't go over board.
Checking your data usage on the AT&T network is pretty easy and straightforward and will prevent you from having bad surprises when the bill comes.
Checking Your AT&T Data UsageHow to check your data usage on AT&T's website
I think the best and most comprehensive way to check your data usage for your iPhone is to do so directly from AT&T's website. This will give you a nice graph showing the last 6 months of data activity, making it clear for you to see what you used through your 3G or EDGE data connection.
This graph excludes all data transferred over wifi network connections because this is not part of your AT&T data plan. That means you can download/upload as much as you want from your iPhone over wifi, you will never be charged for that.
How to check your data usage with AT&T's myWireless app
AT&T has a free application in the App Store called myWireless. On top of giving you important information such as how many voice minutes or SMS you've used, the app will also show you how much data you've used for the current billing period. That's a great way to monitor your data usage on the go directly from your iPhone.
I really like the myWireless app. It is clean and simple and it also allows you to pay your bill from your iPhone. I consider it a must-have.
That's it, now you should be able to manage and monitor your data usage efficiently. For those of you who decide to stay on the unlimited plan, that shouldn't be an issue at all.
If you have more tips and tips like this, please feel free to share them in the comment. [Credit images: TiPB - MacObserver]
Better late than never! AT&T finally announced an official tethering plan for its wireless customers, including iPhone customers. The long-awaited new tethering option comes with the variable pricing plans AT&T CEO had pre-announced a few months ago. These new data plans will replace the "unlimited data plan" that current iPhone owners in the US are on.
All these new plans will be available on June 7. Does this date ring a bell? Yes, it's the opening day of the WWDC where Steve Jobs will announce the new iPhone.
You will now have the choice between 2 data plans. Tethering will be an additional option. Here is the details about each plan.
DataPlus
This is the basic entry plan. It provides 200 MB of data for $15/month. According to AT&T, 65% of their customers will fall under this plan.
If you choose to go with DataPlus and you go over your 200 MB, you will be charged another $15 for another 200 MB of data. Sounds pretty fair to me.
DataPro
The name says it all. This plan is for the data hungry users. It comes with 2 GB of data for $25/month. According to AT&T, only 2% of their customers will fall into this category.
Should you go over your 2 GB, you will be charged an extra $10 for another GB of data. Again, that is very fair.
Tethering
Tethering on your iPhone will come at a hefty price of $20/month, on top of your DataPro plan. What does this mean? It means that in order to get tethering on your iPhone, you will have to sign up for the $25 2 GB DataPro plan plus pay an additional $20 to "activate" the tethering option.
Signing up for tethering doesn't entitle you to more data usage. Every byte of data used under tethering will be directly taken from you DataPro plan.
Tethering will be available when iPhone OS 4 comes out.
I don't think that's a very fair deal and I'll most likely stick to MyWi for my tethering needs.
What happens to your old unlimited data plan?
The good news for those of you who use more data than these plans can offer is that you can keep your unlimited data plan. But if you want to use the official tethering option, you'll have to give it up for the DataPro plan.
I don't use much data so I know I'll be switching to the DataPlus plan and save myself $15/month.
What about iPad data plans?
According to AT&T, "for new iPad customers, the $25 per month 2 GB plan will replace the existing $29.99 unlimited plan. iPad customers will continue to pre-pay for their wireless data plan and no contract is required. Existing iPad customers who have the $29.99 per month unlimited plan can keep that plan or switch to the new $25 per month plan with 2 GB of data."
Free wifi at 20,000 AT&T hotspots
AT&T wireless customers will still get access to their network of over 20,000 wifi hotspots. That means that as long as you're paying a data plan, you can get free unlimited access to any AT&T wifi hotspots in the US (good deal for you if you live close to one of these hotspots and get signal in your home).
Monitoring and managing data usage
Since there won't be unlimited plans anymore (except for those who choose to stay on them), you will now have to closely monitor your data usage.
AT&T will help you by sending you text message and email alerts. You will get an alert after you reach 65%, 90%, and 100% of the treshold.
Additionally, you can download the free AT&T myWireless application from the App Store that allows you to keep an eye on your voice and data usage.
Conclusion
All in all, I think it is a great move from AT&T. Sure there will be the few usual customers that get pissed at the pricing plan changes but the majority of AT&T customers should find these new plans to their liking as most of us will get to save a few bucks each month.
As for tethering though, I think AT&T should have offered a little extra to those who choose to activate the option. With an additional $20/month for tethering, I would have hoped to be offered an extra 2 GB of data. As I said above though, that doesn't bother me too much as I'll stick to the "unofficial" tethering with MyWi.
What do you think?
Now that I gave you the details of the new data pricing plans, I would like to hear your thoughts about them. Are you one of those customers that will save money each month? Or are you one of the very very few that will have to pay more?
I look forward to reading what you think.
In an article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega talked about the crappy 3G coverage in key areas such as New York and San Francisco, which he admitted are "performing at levels below our standards."
According to de la Vega, the good news is AT&T is working on it. I don't know if we should hold our breath on this because AT&T has been working on this issue for over a year now...
What I found more interesting in this WSJ article is the fact that AT&T might start charging iPhone users on a per-byte basis, as I kinda predicted in an article last month:
With about 3% of smart-phone customers driving 40% of data traffic, AT&T is considering incentives to keep those subscribers from hampering the experience for everyone else, he said. “You can rest assured that we’re very sure we can address it in a way that’s consistent with net-neutrality and FCC regulations.”
Many customers don’t know how much bandwidth they’re consuming, Mr. de la Vega added. When AT&T conducted a broadband test, customers often reduced their data use. Longer-term, he said, a pricing scheme based on usage is likely, though it will be determined by industry competition and regulatory guidelines.
This news comes at the right time as I was going to write an article on how I think it would make sense for AT&T to charge per usage.
As the WSJ says, 3% of users are responsible for 40% of the Internet consumption and it's not fair for a "little user" to pay the same price as a "power user".
I came to this conclusion as I am traveling around the world and using pay-as-you-go plans. I realized that I don't nearly use as much data (aka Internet) on my iPhone as I thought I did. On a pay-as-you-go plan, if I use less, I pay less, which makes sense.
In short, I think it's a good idea because it benefits me. But what about you? Does such a pricing scheme would benefit you? Are you willing to be charged on a pay-per-byte model?