Unlimited plan on iPad 3G

I just returned my iPad 3G because I could not turn off and recover the unlimited data plan any more. Apple really let AT&T scr*w them over on this deal. Apple should be embarrassed.

Update #4:

As I mentioned on the previous page, 9 days after talking to Linda at the number posted early in this thread (2:45 wait time!), the unlimited plan still didn't show up on my iPad.

I called the number this morning from the Apple email (1-800-331-0500) and talked to Sandra there, who informed me that my unlimited plan had NOT been applied, and she then did it right there while I watched it change live on my iPad. Very nice, very helpful, and easy to verify. Took 5 minutes, with no real hold time.

*Bottom Line: If you called that phone number on page 1 or 2 of this thread and waited forever on hold, look at your "cellular data" settings and MAKE SURE you actually have the plan you thought you had. Not everyone who thought they were fixed actually was.*

Is there a way to confirm, short of actually calling AT&T, that I have my unlimited plan set to auto-renew? I thought I saw something under my cellular data account when I first signed up a couple of weeks ago, but could be wrong. Does anyone else see "auto-renew" anywhere? I assume everything is fine, but based on how AT&T has performed so far...

I will be furious if they cancel my plan for something like this.

I really need to reconsider my business relationship with AT&T and Apple.

The BIG reason I waited for a Wireless+3G unit and spent about $130 extra for an iPad was because Apple had negotiated an option of UNLIMITED 3G service on a month to month basis, including the ability to sign off the service, and get back on to UNLIMITED at the customer's desire. This was a big selling point by Steve Jobs at his opening presentation. One reviewer even joked that the "miracle" of the iPad was the ability to sign up for 3G service without a long term contract.

I paid extra for the 3G modem so I could turn it on the months I'm traveling, and off during the months I am in my office using wireless.

Well, guess what - you can get the unlimited service (if you purchased the iPad prior to June 7th), but you will never get it back if you do not renew EVERY MONTH!

This is classic bait & switch. Apple's advertising this feature is an embarrassment. I paid the extra $130 for the ability to have unlimited 3G coverage when I wanted, not for $30/month forever!

Look at the top of this Discussion area and see the propaganda posted by Jason L on April 30th:


http://www.att.com/Common/aboutus/files/pdf/emerging_devices/iPad_factsheet.pdf


In particular:

Domestic Data Plans for iPad
Recurring monthly charge with no long term contract
• $14.99 per month for 250 MB • $29.99 per month for unlimited data • Unlimited access – no added cost – to AT&T’s 20,000+ Wi-Fi Hot Spots

How do I manage my 3G plan for iPad?
Can I turn service off or change my plan?
Once you sign up for iPad 3G data service, you can add to or cancel your domestic plan at any time – no penalty. For domestic plans, if you do not cancel, your service will automatically renew every 30 days to provide a more seamless data experience on an ongoing basis. For example, if you activate service on May 9, your service will automatically renew 30 days later with the same plan. If you do make a change, a new 30-day window begins.

What happens if I exceed the amount of data in my selected plan before the end of one month?
With the on-device management system, you can check your data usage in Settings>Cellular Data on your iPad at anytime. Also, for the $14.99 plan, iPad will even let you know when you’re about to reach your 250 MB data limit. You’ll get three alerts — at 20 percent, 10 percent, and zero. With each alert, you can choose to add more data or wait and do it later.

If you do exceed the amount of data in your plan, your plan will expire, but it’s easy to add another one. Also, with domestic plans, you can wait until the 30th day from your purchase when your plan will automatically renew going forward.

I have alerted the link manager on this forum. There is no telling when they will fix them. The PDF you referenced Is on the announcement page but is owned by AT&T. I have seen some links in the knowledgebase not get updated for a year. Jason L made that page over a month prior to the plan changing.

a brody,

I hope you understand my disgust is not with the post by JasonL. My anger is with the bait and switch tactics used to lure people to spend an extra $130 for for the ability to use an advertised program that was delivered and dumped in less than 3 months!

Where was there a promise?

FWIW, I ordered my iPad 3G (64GB) in the middle of April. Got it on launch day (4/30) and signed up for the unlimited data plan about a week later. My account has auto-renewed to the $30 plan since. No problems.

Steven

The fact sheet also says to look at the terms of the wireless service agreement. A bit of googling I found this:

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/articles-resources/wireless-terms.jsp

Section 2.3 is the real promise. It says they may change rates and terms at any time!
It also says they will email you such changes.

If you did not give them a valid email, or filtered your email I suppose you might get surprised by such changes.

Try this to activate unlimited data plan for Ipad 3g

Activate the $25 2GB AT&T 3G DataPro Plan for iPad via Settings > Cellular Data

On your Cellular Data Account page, make note of your "cellular data number"

Call AT&T Customer Service at 1-866-640-5125, it'll ask if your calling about your phone number, choose #2 to enter your Ipad's "cellular data number"

Choose 0 to speak to customer service

Once you get connected to the customer rep, tell him or her that you're calling regarding upgrading your Ipad's data plan to unlimited plan due to your eligibilty. Make sure you know the date when you bought the Ipad. They'll be asking some information such as your name, and address. Make sure you have your Ipad with you when calling, they'll be asking for your Ipads's IMEI and ICCID number, as well as the email address you used to register the Ipad. It'll take about 4 minutes to update your plan and you'll see the changes on your Ipad once it's been updated. Hope this helps!

I pre-ordered my 16GB iPad3G and received on 4/30. I had an unlimited data plan month 1, tried the 250MB month 2, when I ran out of data I apparently stacked a second plan (didn't replace it) which confused her and I. When I went to switch it to Unlimited the option wasn't there. This forum is the first place I found a phone number and instructions on how to call and get support.

I called AT&T today (1-866-640-5125), waited less than a minute, and spent 15 minutes arguing. Because my iPad was not on an unlimited plan when the magical June date hit, and it was not within 7 days of the plan change, my iPad is forever unable to be Unlimited again. I reminded her that I had previously had Unlimited, that I was in no way notified (phone, email, letter, iPad notification) about the disappearance of Unlimited but read it online, that in trying the two different plans, that I understood Unlimited was no longer an option (that I could not go back-and-forth as we were promised), but I just wanted Unlimited added today and I would set it up for auto-bill and know if I switched again it would be lost. She told me there is no way to add my device to be eligible at this point (apparently the cutoff for iPads ordered by June 6th to add/activate unlimited has arrived and passed).

So I'm on the phone with Apple now requesting a buy-back, and it sounds like that is going to happen. Stupid AT&T