Well, I have a brand new iPad (not the iPad2, dang it!) and I am looking for advice on international data plans. I understand that I need to sign up for a domestic plan before I can get an international plan, but it seems there are choices of international "partners" with AT&T who offer plans, and coverage varies within the country. Does anyone have any advice for me? Other than to just hang out where there is WiFi available! Thank you, fellow travelers...Tom
Posted by
San Francisco, CA
166 posts
Tom, Service is tied to the micro-SIM card in your iPad. Since the iPad can take micro-SIM cards from any carrier, so you do not need to sign up with AT&T in the US. You can take out the AT&T micro-SIM and use one from an Italian carrier. You do need to buy a micro-SIM in Italy with a data plan. Any carrier will do -- no need to choose an AT&T partner. I'd suggest TIM as they typically have the largest coverage. Mathew
Posted by
North Canton, Ohio, USA
15 posts
We are currently in Italy with our iPad 2. We purchased a microsim from vodaphone. We had not activated our At&t account prior to our departure. The vodaphone microsim works fairly well as long as you are somewhat near a town. Just remember if you purchase one, you need to scratch off the barcode to get the pin number to put in your iPad cellular settings. Vodaphone will tell you that they will send you an SMS message in 24 hours after purchase on your cell phone to activate. Our cell was having a problem, so we never received the SMS. But, it worked anyways. Also, you do have to show them your passport. The plan we got was for 1Gb for 1 month for 10 euro, even though we will be in Itly only 2 weeks. We never found a Tim store, but found Vodaphone.