VHA offers unlimited data for iPad users

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 09:35

Your IT - Mobility

VHA has announced prepaid and postpaid data plans specific to the iPad, which will be sold under both the Vodafone and 3 brands and which include an unlimited option for $49.95.

Despite VHA saying earlier this year that it was aligning offerings under the Vodafone and 3 brands, iPad data offerings differ between the two brands.

Vodafone prepaid options are $9.95 for 250MB, $14.95 for 1GB, $29.95 for 4GB and $49.95 for unlimited, all on 30 day expiry. There is also a 6GB option for $100 with a 180 day expiry and a 12GB option for $150 with 365 day expiry.

On all plans except the unlimited option unused data can be rolled over into the following and subsequent expiry periods on renewal; a maximum of 14GB can be accumulated.  Peer-to-peer traffic is not allowed on the unlimited plan.

The 3 branded options are $15 for 500MB plus a 1GB bonus for iPad customers, $29 for 2GB, plus a 2GB bonus, $49 for 4GB plus a 2GB bonus, all on 30 days, and $149 for 12GB on 365 day expiry. Neither the VHA press release nor the 3 web site gave any information as to how the bonus is earned, or for how long it will be offered.

Two  postpaid option are also available under the 3 brand: $15 per month for 1GB and $29 per month for 3GB.

The iPad does not operate in the 900MHz band, which Vodafone has used in more recent times to extend its coverage. In these areas data transfer drops back to much lower GPRS speeds.