iPad’s arrival prompts call to
MOBILE providers need to radically revise mobile data prices for the arrival of the iPad or risk damaging its appeal, observers say.
Apple’s hugely popular tablet will be launched in New Zealand next month, including a version that can access the internet via 3G mobile networks as well as WiFi networks.
The iPad is billed as a premium device for data intensive activities including surfing the web and downloading music and video.
But Stuart Wilson, chief executive of mobile application developer Modica, says current mobile data prices are too expensive to allow unfettered use of the iPad on 3G networks.
“The prices will limit using it the way it was intended to be used.”
iPad owners could be limited to using WiFi networks in their homes and offices to access content from the web to avoid “being terrified by a scary phone bill”.
He was speaking from the United States, where people can pay US$30 (NZ$43) a month for unlimited mobile data, he says.
“In New Zealand the rates Fake jimmy choo Handbags are still ridiculous. The last time I looked they [local carriers] thought 100 megabytes was a lot of data, but you can knock that off in half an hour.”
Vodafone has released more generous data plans for the iPhone and mobile providers should offer one gigabyte a month add-ons for $5 or $10, but Telecom and Vodafone might be reluctant to encourage intensive data downloads for fear of crashing their networks.
The iPad “is a Fake Daniel Roth Watches cool product, but we don’t have an incentive for people to be using it the way it should be used”.
Ernie Newman, chief executive of the Telecommunications Users Association, says there should be distinct data pricing for the iPad and he expects carriers will meet this need.
British mobile provider Orange is offering iPad owners a rate of 5 pence per megabyte, but mobile data roaming rates on the plan are as high as [PndStlg]6.46 (NZ$13.60) per megabyte, he says. Roaming charges are “way over the top” and the explosion of data-capable devices such as the iPad is exacerbating this.
iPad adopter Barry Murphy says users will need to boost their data plans if they want to enjoy a decent amount of multimedia content on the device.
3G iPads will need a micro-sim card rather than the standard- sized sim card used in phones to connect to 3G mobile networks, meaning owners will need to buy another data plan for the iPad, on top of their mobile phone data plan.
He uses an iPhone application that lets him use his iPhone data allowance on his iPad, but says telcos should link the iPad’s micro- sim card to the user’s phone account so they do not have to double up on data.
The iPad is now his primary device as it is easier to type on than the iPhone and once he gets an external keyboard for it Fake Chopard he will use his PC less and less.
“I love the device and use it at least three hours a day.”
Jens Mueller, executive director of Triaxis, which owns parallel importer Tosh Computers, says demand for iPads has ramped up in the last month since Apple opened the iPad store in New Zealand and consumers have been able to see what applications are available for the device.
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