Vodafone announces iPad data pricing

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Vodafone will offer month-by-month data plans for Apple's iPad when it hits NZ stores this Friday.

The 3G model iPads will ship with Vodafone microSIM cards which will then be activated by the mobile carrier.

The cheapest plan - for a meagre 250MB of data - will cost $20 per month, while the hero 3G plan will cost $50 a month.

As the plans are essentially casual, users can cancel at any time.

Those wanting to use Telecom's high-speed XT network will have to wait - it won't supply the microSIMs that iPad needs to work until August, a spokesperson said this morning.

Telecom would not comment on iPad-specific data pricing.

"We do not generally provide comment confirming our future or potential plans or offers as they are market sensitive. However, we are aware that the iPad 3G presents a unique way to experience mobile data and will continue to review the opportunity."

The 3G iPad - which also Wi-Fi friendly - starts at $999 for the 16GB version, $1179 for the 32GB and a massive $1349 for the 64GB model.

A 16GB Wi-Fi version sells for $799, the 32GB model costs $979 and the 64GB will sell for $1149.

The iPad debuted in the US on April 3, and went on sale in Australia, Europe, Canada and Japan on May 28.

- NZ HERALD STAFF