AT & T to Subsidize iPad in US

[Maura]

AppleInsider reports that AT&T is to start subsidising the iPad, making this the first time that any US carrier has done so since the original iPad was released back in 2010. The report was based on a new official announcement from AT&T, which said that it is offering a promotional discount to tablet customers, just in time for the holidays, giving them $100 off any tablet purchased at an AT&T company-owned store, or online at AT&T Cell Phones, U-verse, Digital TV, DSL Internet, and Phone Service, or at selected agents or retailers. In order to qualify for the discount, you simply have to sign up for a two-year data plan. Among the data plans are the option to add your iPad to AT&T’s Mobile Share plan at a cost of $10 per month to share between 1GB and 20GB. Other plans include a 250MB DataConnect plan for $15, and a 5GB DataConnect plan for $50! Ouch, pricey!

“AT&T has the widest variety of tablets and a broad choice of data plans to pick from†said David Christopher, Chief Marketing Officer, AT&T. “With this new promotional discount for any tablet we sell, we’re giving our customers even more reason to stock up on the hottest device of the season, and just in time for the holidays.â€

Source: AT&T to be first U.S. carrier to subsidize Apple's iPad, AT&T