Within weeks, you should be able to walk into most AT&T and Verizon stores and walk out with an iPad. The two carriers announced Thursday they will begin selling the Apple tablet October 28. The announcement should fuel speculation Apple is preparing to soon sell the iPhone through Verizon.
AT&T said it will sell the iPad 3G version with its pre-paid 3G plans, while Verizon will bundle the iPad Wi-Fi with its MiFi mobile hotspot device. Earlier this year, a leaked Verizon memo mentioned the iPad was an “opportunity for VZW” to sell the MiFi. Verizon will also sell the iPad 3G.
Two monthly plans will be offered by AT&T, ranging between $14.99 for 250MB and $25 for 2GB with no term contract. Both provide iPad owners unlimited Wi-Fi access at AT&T’s more than 23,000 national hotspots. The 16GB iPad will cost $629, with $729 for the 32GB and $829 for the 64GB.
Verizon will offer a $20 plan for up to 1GB of data. Verizon will offer the iPad Wi-Fi bundled with their MiFi. A 16GB iPad Wi-Fi bundle will cost $629.99, with $729.99 for a 32GB bundle and $829.99 for the 64GB iPad Wi-Fi package. The price of a Wi-Fi 3G will match that of AT&T.
Both the carriers and Apple made pointed-references to the all-important upcoming holiday buying season. “As we approach the holiday season, we are very happy that customers will now be able to buy iPad Wi-Fi + 3G at AT&T Stores,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. “This is the perfect pairing for holiday travels,” Verizon Wireless CEO CEO John Stratton added.
[via AppleInsider]
