Vodafone Australia Announces Unlimited Data Plans for iPad

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.tuaw.com/2010/05/26/vodafone-australia-will-offer-unlimited-data-plan-for-ipads/' target='_blank'>http://www.tuaw.com/2010/05/26/voda...plan-for-ipads/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"There's good news for iPad customers in Australia. Vodafone announced today that they will offer an unlimited data plan for the iPad 3G. Here's the deal: For AUS$49.95 (approximately US$41 as of this writing) per month, users can enjoy unlimited data. Not bad!"</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1274999921.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Touted as the "<a href="http://store.vodafone.com.au/mobile-broadband-mbb-data-plans-for-ipad.aspx" target="_blank">first unlimited data plan for the iPad</a>" and with an interesting twist to it. They are offering 6GB data option for $100.00 AUS that expires in 90 days, and a 12GB option for $150.00 AUS that expires in 365 days. Not sure I've seen that before, but I could just be suffering from memory loss.&nbsp;</p>

[Darius Wey]

Touted as the "<a href="http://store.vodafone.com.au/mobile-broadband-mbb-data-plans-for-ipad.aspx" target="_blank">first unlimited data plan for the iPad</a>" and with an interesting twist to it.

Optus (http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Template_woRHS&FP=/personal/internet/iPad&site=personal) crashed the party today with an unlimited data plan of its own.

But between the four carriers currently offering micro-SIMs, Telstra is an Apple user's best bet, thanks to its stellar Next G network operating on 850 MHz. Both Optus and Vodafone operate 2100 MHz 3G networks in the city, but 900 MHz in rural areas, which isn't great for the iPad. Technicalities aside, Optus' network congestion is horrible. You could almost label them as the AT&T of Australia. I used to be with them, but switched to Telstra. While Telstra charges more, it's money well spent for a network that's faster and has better coverage.

They are offering 6GB data option for $100.00 AUS that expires in 90 days, and a 12GB option for $150.00 AUS that expires in 365 days. Not sure I've seen that before, but I could just be suffering from memory loss.

This is actually very common in Australia. Prior to the iPad's arrival, every carrier had (and still has) long expiry options for wireless broadband customers.

[Jason Dunn]

This is actually very common in Australia. Prior to the iPad's arrival, every carrier had (and still has) long expiry options for wireless broadband customers.

Wait, so it's not monthly, it's pre-paid? You pay for the 12 GB blob of data up front, and you have a year to use it? That's AWESOME. Wow, I wish we had that here - I'd totally do that...

[Brad Adrian]

But that price still seems outrageous. I stopped carefully monitoring how much data I up- and down-load back when I got an unlimited plan for my iPhone, but maybe I should. Sometimes it's difficult to understand exactly how much (or how little) 12 GB is.

Now, off to search for an iPhone app that monitors data usage...

[Darius Wey]

Wait, so it's not monthly, it's pre-paid? You pay for the 12 GB blob of data up front, and you have a year to use it? That's AWESOME. Wow, I wish we had that here - I'd totally do that...

Yep, that's exactly it. :)

[Darius Wey]

But that price still seems outrageous. I stopped carefully monitoring how much data I up- and down-load back when I got an unlimited plan for my iPhone, but maybe I should. Sometimes it's difficult to understand exactly how much (or how little) 12 GB is.

You may find that you're using a lot less than first thought. When the iPhone 3G was released, a lot of people thought they'd consume gigabytes of data each month. But as people started monitoring their usage, it amounted to nothing more than a couple hundred megabytes each month.

So, 12GB a year for a lump sum of $100-150 AUD is actually quite decent. If not, there are still more generous monthly, quarterly, and half-yearly offerings available. Best of all, there are no contracts, so there's no obligation to give the carrier more cash.