Curiousaboutit

I plan on taking my iPad and just learned from Apple that I can used a micro mini SIM card for WiFi and 3G. I am interested to learn from you who know from practical experience not from Apple. Did you use the SIM card from your unlocked cell phone or did you get a completely different card. We are planning on not needing to take a separate cell phone and use SKYPE from the iPad.
Thank you.

Curiousaboutit

I just spoke with ATT. They said I must activate the existing card already in the iPad and then add one of their plans and then they can activate an international data plan. The cost of which I can only learn after I activate the card while on the iPad.
Has any one gone down that lovely path to shed some light on what it costs for international data. I know that the iPad automatically is WiFi where ever yet when out in the hinterland it will be necessary to have access via "cell." Thoughts?

nukesafe

Topping because DW just bought an iPad2.

gh21

I used my iPad in France for Internet access and receiving & sending e-mail through the free wifi at my hotel. Did not need any SIM card or plan from AT&T. using the iPad with wifi incurs no charges. Don't know it this would also work for Skype but I don't see why not. Free wifi or access to a reasonably priced Internet cafe seems to be key here.

nukesafe

They do work just fine with Skype, but the OP wants to know the alternative when you need to get online and there is no WiFi available.

patiricia

The 3G model iPad has the capability to add an international data plan and pay as you go. It is $25 for 20MB for 30 days. It is very easy to use 20MB, but if you need it away from a WiFi connection it is very convenient. It doesn't renew automatically, so you are fully aware of how much you spend. You can buy more at one time $60 for 50MB, $120 for 100MB, $200 for 200MB.

Seamus

Don't have an iPad (yet ;-)) so can't speak from personal experience, but believe you would need a SIM card only for internet access via a cellular (3G or other) network - WiFi does not require a SIM. So if you are going to be in places where you can get WiFi signal you don't need to worry about a SIM and the associated expensive roaming data plan.

SusanG

I am also interested in this for my fall trip to Paris and Italy. I was told i needed to go somewhere in europe and purchase an international SIM card and plan for my ipad. I have the 3G. Sounds like you guys are saying i can do this here in dc before i leave? I am afraid i am not very high tech. Thanks for posting this question and all add'l info.

patiricia

just go to Settings, Cellular Data, View Account, login or sign up and look for the international data plans. You should do it before you leave, otherwise you will need WiFi to sign up. You can select the day you want the plan to start (ie the day you arrive in Europe)

Curiousaboutit

My iPad is WiFi and 3G and my husband's Sprint android phone is an automatic hotspot..yet, if we are no where near a shop or hotel AND want to place a SKYPE call..then I think an international data plan would be needed. Alas, Sprint is not accessible in Spain to use a phone/Skype if there is not a WiFi area in the hinterland. Ah, the need to stay tethered..hmmm.

kat12

I used my ipad in Italy, and I bought a sim card from an Italian cellular company called Tre, I think it was. I bought it in Florence. It was helpful when I wanted to use my ipad on the train, but the service was spotty in some areas. I think it cost about $15 for a decent amount of service, but I don't recall how much time you bought. You might do well to check the Apple forums too. That's where I found this info. Don't know about cell service plans in other countries. I don't know how this compares with what ATT is offering.

A fellow guest at a hotel in Florence used Skype on his Ipad to check in with their children, and it worked beautifully with wifi in the hotel.

Curiousaboutit

Thank you kat12. I shall find an Apple forum to fine tune my information. I will need to know if first I must activate the SIM card here to have it work in Spain..I'll report back.

Curiousaboutit

The following is a direct quote from Apple site explaining the "how to"

Note: You can also add an International data plan on this screen by tapping Add International Data, or you can access your account later to manage your plan options. If you need to use your iPad internationally, you must sign up for the international data plan while in the United States.

Robert2533

Unlock the iPad and purchase a Spanish sim card from MoviStar or Vodafone. You can obtain a pay-a-go plan. If you don't want to, the iPad works fine with WiFi.

Curiousaboutit

Robert2533, what do you mean..unlock the iPad? Do you mean to purchase a plan with ATT and then in Spain get a "pay-a-go plan? The iPad has a SIM card built in therefore purchase is superfluous. What is different about their data plan?
Yes I know it has WiFi capabilities in a city; it is when we are out in the countryside when necessity might rear its lovely head that "cellphone" capabilities are called for.

kayd

The iPad comes with an ATT sim; if you want to use it outside North America you must purchase the ATT international service.

If you want to use the iPad with local cell service in the country you are visiting, you would remove the ATT sim and put in one from the local company. As long as the iPad is "locked" to ATT, no other company's sim will work in it, so you must "unlock" it from ATT before using another sim.

travelgourmet

The iPad is not locked to AT&T. Should you choose to use a local sim card, all you need to do is pop out the AT&T card and plug in the local card. If you choose to go this route, then you don't need to activate the AT&T card.

The AT&T international plans are quite steep. I'd get a local card or use wifi.

kayd

Travelgourmet, thanks for clarifying that they aren't locked to ATT as the iPhones are. I don't have one yet, but expect to succumb before too long, and was expecting terms similar to those with the phones.

Curiousaboutit

Hey Travelgourmet, I am more inclined to spend money on sumptuous food than on an ATT international data sim card. I am not apposed to popping out and popping in a European sim. Recommendations where to get such a nifty tool? We land in Madrid.

Thanks

kat12

You're probably aware that if you have the ATT monthly plan for $15 a month, you can cancel any month when you don't think you'll need the cell service and then reactivate it another month. No penalties.

I was interested in the same issues as you when we went to Italy. You may get some good answers here as to where you can buy the sim card, but try the Apple forum too. That's where I found out where I could purchase the cards in Italy. I think you can go on line and order the sim cards from cellular company in Spain, for example. That would have to be done far enough in advance, and you'd need to make sure you're buying the right card.

In my case, I had to visit a number of stores in Italy before I found what I needed. But this was in September, and ipads were still pretty new in Europe. Should be easier now. I was glad I bought it though.

Good luck!