Info-Mac

If you already have a data plan for a iPhone will you have to purchase an additional data plan for the iPad?

According to Steve, yes.

However, Steve's answer ignores options such as the MiFi box (or something like it) which turns cellular data into wifi data, thus allowing sharing of one data source with multiple devices.

I would imagine that other developers would come up with some other ways to defeat that limitation as well, like a simpler version of the Mifi that attaches to the universal dock connector.

Won't happen right away, of course, but I'd expect something like that to evolve.

Well I was going to get one but I'm not wiling to pay another $30 a month. That's disappointing, but I kinda figured that would be the case.

You don't have to pay $30/month. Just use Wifi instead (and save $130 by getting the wifi-only model).

Or get a MiFi or some future device along those lines. Or use the 3G capability more selectively and pay the $30 for only those months in which you actually need it -- there's no contract obligation in the US.

Thanks chasm, I didn't know you could do that. I figured in order to actvate the ipad I would need the data plan. I already have wifi in my house which is where I would use it most. I'm not familiar with the mifi but I will check that out too. Thanks again for the reply.