Missed announcement? IPAD to get chip for Verizon Networks soon.

[TheForce]

I was browsing the stock news today and discovered a bit on Bloomberg that I had missed:

Jan. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Verizon Wireless will sell a version of Apple Inc.’s iPad tablet computer that can connect directly to its network, posing another challenge to AT&T Inc. as the carrier’s exclusive hold on the iPhone draws to a close.

Verizon will get an embedded chip in the iPad for use on its network, Francis Shammo, chief financial officer of Verizon Communications Inc., the parent of the wireless unit, said today in an interview in New York. IPad users currently need an extra device to connect to Verizon’s network. Shammo declined to say when the change may happen.

They also mentioned in the report that Verizon currently bundles the mifi device for an upcharge. However, it was my experience in December, that Verizon had a special pre Christmas sale where the 5Spot Mifi device was free for all ipad purchases.

 

[JAG72]

They also mentioned in the report that Verizon currently bundles the mifi device for an upcharge. However, it was my experience in December, that Verizon had a special pre Christmas sale where the 5Spot Mifi device was free for all ipad purchases.

The current up charge takes the price of the iPad and Mifi to the same price of the 3G version on AT&T. I will be curious on the pricing of the 3G plans when they release the iPad directly on the network.

 

[TheForce]

Jag- I actually got two deals pre Christmas offer. I paid $499 for the ipad and got the 5Spot for free. I love that little wifi router device! Then they had the special service contract for the 5Spoy where you pay 3 months in advance and get the 3Gb for $100 including the taxes with a $10 per Gb overcharge. The salesman said it was equal to $25 a Month but I think his math was a little low. Still the price is better than the regular monthly rate for 3Gb.

Now, I'm curious to see what sort of deal they will offer on the new LTE device. The salesman said I can transfer the 3 month deal to the LTE when it comes out but I suspect I will need to purchase the hardware.


My thinking is this, In most places I use the ipad, the 5 spot device works great. However, if I needed to use the ipad in restaurants, while shopping in a store, or other temporary locations, I would rather have the 7" device like the Galaxy with built in service. At CES I saw a guy with a Galaxy in his back pocket! Can't do that with an iPAD. 7 inchers are just more portable to carry. But my use is at home, in a car, or in a hotel room and for those locations, the ipad size and the 5spot mifi works great and is preferred. We even have a seat headrest clamp now for the ipad and can stream Netflix to it with this 5Spot while driving our grandson home from my daughter's house which is about 45 minutes away. He loves watching all the Netflix kid stuff on it. The main issue with the built in service is you are restricted to one device while the 5Spot devices are easy and you can use it with 5 devices anywhere in the world.

 

[JAG72]

Jag- I actually got two deals pre Christmas offer. I paid $499 for the ipad and got the 5Spot for free. I love that little wifi router device! Then they had the special service contract for the 5Spoy where you pay 3 months in advance and get the 3Gb for $100 including the taxes with a $10 per Gb overcharge. The salesman said it was equal to $25 a Month but I think his math was a little low. Still the price is better than the regular monthly rate for 3Gb.

I know that they have some deals but their normal pricing is on par with the 3G AT&T offering. Verizon has some wiggle room to make the deals look good with the external device instead of an integrated radio.

 

[charper1]

I may give the iPhone a sniff with VZW as it always been AT&T that has kept me away BUT I think I will wait for the new versions this summer.

 

[Foxbat]

Engadget & TUAW rumors have the next generation of iPad and iPhone using the Qualcomm chips that support CDMA, GSM, and UMTS so they won't be tied to one cellular network.

 

[charper1]

YEP! and that would be what I would wait for as opposed to jumping on this 1st gen VZW iPhone

 

[jayn_j]

I'm limping along with a Verizon Voyager with a broken screen. I think I may very well be a candidate for the early iphone 4. I can kill the AT&T 3G contract and come out even, but with no data restrictions. Yep, better coming along. Better always coming along down the road.