The new iPad comes equipped with LTE 4G networking on AT&T and Verizon in the United States, and data plan prices for the nation’s largest carriers can now be compared. As you can see, AT&T offers the cheapest option with a $15/month for 250MB option.
Like always, these iPad data plans can be purchased month-to-month on either AT&T or Verizon with no long-term commitment. The new iPad offers Personal Hotspot for creating a WiFi network out of your 4G connection. LTE 4G will get you up to 72Mbps when available, but the iPad also supports HSPDA 3G for speeds up to 42MBps. Regular 3G will be used when nothing else is available.
As always, “unlimited data” is not truly unlimited data, as both AT&T and Verizon are known to throttle their heavy data users on unlimited plans. But hey, take what you can get.
Interestingly, some are reporting that customers with unlimited data plans from the first iPad can continue to have unlimited data on a new 4G plan. If you fall into that category, let us know how plan hunting goes for you when you buy the new iPad!
Update: Steve Kovach points out that Apple’s pricing isn’t exactly right, as you can actually get 3G on AT&T for $30/month.
