Verizon to Offer the New iPad This Friday

[Michael Essany]

On Tuesday Verizon Wireless announced - as widely expected - that it will begin selling Apple's new iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G nationwide this Friday, March 16, just as Apple similarly delivers the device to consumers following last week's grand revealing.

Verizon says all three models be available at launch - 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB - with "a range of attractive data plans." Those data packages start at $30 for 2 GB per month. It moves up to a 5 GB allowance for $50 per month, and for 10 GB per month, you're looking at $80. After your monthly allowance, the cost is $10 for every subsequent 1 GB.

Verizon says the new iPad with 4G connectivity will deliver speeds up to 10 times faster than the iPad's 3G counterpart. Verizon also dished today that it will support the Personal Hotspot feature of the new iPad so users can share their network connection with up to 5 other devices using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB.

"Customers have been enthusiastic over the iPad on our 3G network and we expect even more excitement for the new iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network," said Tami Erwin, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "With more and more customers depending on their iPad for business, as well as personal use, it is important that they have a network that delivers high speed and reliability, nationwide."

Source: Verizon

[bmwraw8482]

So when you preorder the iPad + 4g from apple does it come with a sim card that just needs activated or do I have to go to a Verizon store anyway and get a sim card?

[Donnutt]

You don't need a sim card for Verizon. It is a CDMA network.

Unless they use a sim card for their 4G?

[JagXK8]

No unlimited plan no buy. Guess I'll just keep tethering.

[nemanracing]

LTE on Verizon requires a sim card

[Bigred4430]

Thinking about a wifi version and just tethering it from my phone honestly.

[jose060789]

Can anyone tell me if Best Buy will start selling the new iPads, first come first serve?

[bmwraw8482]

I originally had a wifi only iPad in my cart, planning on just using mywi, but I'm a sucker for convenience and went with the 4g option too (took forever to get that changed with apples site bogged down on the 7th). So does anyone who has an AT&T 3G iPad 2 know about whether it comes with the sim card?

[ohthatguyagain]

iPads come with 4g sim cards. Will be able to activate service using the system preferences app. No external store/support necessary.