Verizon to Sell iPad Bundled with 3G MiFi Service in Retail Stores

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Oh boy. Consider this a shot across AT&T’s bow. Not only have Apple and Verizon partnered to allow Verizon to sell iPads in its retail locations, but Verizon will offer a month-to-month data plan with one gigabyte of 3G service for $20 per month. That sits in between AT&T’s iPad service plans, which are $15 per month for 250 megabytes or $25 per month for two gigabytes.

Verizon will be selling the Wi-Fi iPad models bundled with an external “MiFi” hotspot for the same price as comparable AT&T-equipped 3G iPad versions: $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, and $829 for 64GB. The retail locations will sell the standalone Wi-Fi iPad models at their regular prices, as well. Sales will begin October 28th.

What does it all mean?!

Well, the fact that Verizon and Apple have officially partnered to do this is telling. It’s certainly not going to do much to dispel the recent rumors of an impending Verizon iPhone. This is also a good way for Verizon to clear out a bunch of its 3G MiFi hotspot devices in order to make way for its 4G service that’s due to be rolled out by the end of the year.

To be fair, Apple also “partnered” with AT&T to sell 3G iPad models in AT&T retail stores on the same day as Verizon will start selling iPads. It could be that perhaps Apple just wants to sell iPads. Could Sprint or T-Mobile iPad partnerships be next?

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