Apple's new iPad could be available on O2 and Orange when it hits the UK in late March and April.
Micro SIM manufacturer Gemalto claims that the two networks have purchased hundreds of its Micro Sim cards, which support the iPad with 3G functionality.
It is highly likely O2 will offer the device as it has a long-standing relationship with Apple and was the exclusive carrier for the iPhone until September last year, when Orange announced it would also stock the handset.
When Jobs unveiled the iPad this week, he said devices shipped outside the US will be unlocked, and therefore available on any network. However, the Micro Sim format is unused on any other device in the UK (that we are aware of) and if both Orange and O2 have recently purchased Micro Sims, it is unlikely that they will be aimed at any other device.
Click here for more Apple iPad coverage
There is no news on the price, or 3G availability of the iPad in the UK, although Apple has said that the device will ship worldwide within 60 days, for the WiFi version, and 90 days for the 3G option. In the US Apple is charging a premium of $130 for a version that includes 3G. And US customers have the option of paying $15 for 250MB of data, or $30 for unlimited data (note that data connectivity is generally more expensive in the US than in the UK). There is no news regarding UK data charge.
As with the Apple iPad UK price, we will keep you informed of up-to-date pricing regarding data plans as information becomes available.
Contact Us
Digg
It's easy and free to get the latest news headlines, reviews and opinions straight to your email inbox. Sign up NOW to make sure you receive the latest Mac news, reviews and tutorials on your favourite topics.
Comments received
cecemf said on Mon, 01 Feb 2010
The networks have all ready difficulty to take the new all internet smart phone and overload the network and something like the iPad will do it worst ! are the network taking on too much ???
treadmill said on Mon, 01 Feb 2010
Of course not... *sarcasm*
They'll do what they normally do, let customers sign-up who are mainly sheep and reap the profits. Then, if really really serious complaints are made, they might consider investing in their non-existant 3G network.
Here in Banbury, I have a full 3G signal, yet I barely get 860Kbits download. Now Banbury can't be the center of all mobile traffic, surely!
3G via O2 is supposed to give you up to 3.2Mbits, and there's the catch as with all quoted broadband speeds. Up to...
If the iPad becomes as popular as some analysts think, it will drown the 3G network.
Disclaimer
Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Macworld. Macworld accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content.
Click here to read the house rules.
Click here for the latest reader comments