Apple’s iPad has jumped into bed with mobile phone operator Vodafone, announcing today that Vodafone will be selling the market dominating tablet on 12 and 24 month contracts.
 Click to enlarge |
The iPad will be made available over 12 months and 24 month contracts, with customers also having the option of buying the handset outright.
Vodafone will only be stocking the 3G and WiFi variant which will be supported by their 850MHz 3G network.
“Whether customers go online a little or a lot, they can rely on us to deliver a range of iPad 2 deals with great 3G data plans to suit all needs and budgets,” said Ross Parker, Vodafone Australia, head of devices.
“We know our customers will enjoy the added freedom and convenience to seamlessly access the internet in more places, with the choice of staying connected via Vodafone 3G broadband internet or WiFi.”
“The iPad 2 with Wi-Fi +3G works with both our new 850 network and our existing network to give customers a better all-round experience. We’re ahead of schedule on our new network rollout and with the $1 billion investment we are making in our network, customer experience is improving.”
Previously, all of Apple’s tablets have only been available from electronic retailers, such as JB HIFI and Harvey Norman. This marks the first time in Australia that they’ve offered a tablet device to a mobile phone carrier.
So far definitive pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but Vodafone do currently offer month by month plans. The plans require customers to already have an iPad, and range from $15 per month to $49 per month.
The $15 plan offers 1.5GB of data, $29 offers 4GB, $39 offers 10GB and the top of the range $49 plan offers $12GB of data each month.
The pricing will have to factor in the cost of the iPad 2 making it more expensive.
At the moment Vodafone hasn’t announced the pricing structure for the iPad 2 on contract yet but we’ll keep you posted.
