Top 10 iPad Mini SIM Deals

If you want to get online with your iPad, iPad 2, iPad 3 or iPad 4 while you’re on the move and in places where there's on Wi-Fi available, you’re going to have to sign up for an Mini SIM deal. Here we look at the best iPad Mini SIM deals around to help you make an informed decision and find the offer that best meets your needs.

What’s the difference between a Mini SIM and a standard SIM?

Both technologies work in exactly the same way. However, Mini SIM is a new standard that is currently only compatible with the iPad. Mini SIMs are also around half the size of the SIMs currently in use across the globe in dongles, mobile phones, broadband embedded laptops and MiFi units.

In order to get online with a Mini SIM, iPad owners simply need to insert the card in the iPad. Unlike most broadband laptops, there’s no dongle or MiFi required.

Which providers offer iPad Mini SIM deals?

The sole UK mobile broadband suppliers to offer iPad Mini SIM deals are Vodafone, Three, T-Mobile, O2 and Orange. These companies’ deals are a mixture of monthly contract and pay as you go options. The former operate on a rolling contract basis, meaning that customers can cancel at any time. The latter work on the same principle as mobile phone PAYG deals, whereby customers can simply pay to add credit as and when they require it.

O2 iPad Mini SIM deals

O2 iPad Mini SIM deals take in both pay as you go and monthly contract options.

If you choose to pay as you go, O2 offers you 500MB for £2.04. This can be added at any time and lasts for one day.

The pay monthly options feature 1GB of usage per month for £10.21 or a 2GB monthly limit for £15.32 per month.

All O2 customers who sign up for an iPad Mini SIM deal get unlimited WiFi access via hotspots across the UK operated by BT Openzone and The Cloud.

Orange Mini SIM deals

Orange iPad Mini SIM deals are notably well priced. This is especially true of its monthly contract options.

Choosing iPad Monthly 15 gets you 3GB of usage per month for £15 per month. Alternatively, the iPad Monthly 25 deal is aimed at higher-demand consumers and offers 10GB per month for a charge of £25 per month. Customers who exceed their monthly limit are charged 5p per MB.

The carrier’s pay as you go tariffs also impress. iPad owners can either add 1GB of usage for £7.50, which must be used within seven days. Or they can add 200MB, which must be used on the day of purchase.

Not sure how much data you'll need? Orange also allows you to pay for what you use at a cost of 5.1p per MB, with your total monthly outlay capped at £40 per month.

Vodafone iPad Mini SIM deals

Unlike O2 and Orange, Vodafone only offers iPad Mini SIM deals on a monthly contract basis. Contract options include £3 per month for 250MB per month to £15 per month for 2GB of usage.

Three iPad Mini Sim deals

Three's iPad Mini Sims are over a rolling one-month contract or pay as you go basis. Rolling contract customers can get 10GB per month for a monthly charge of £15, or can grab 1GB for £7.50 per month.

Opt to pay as you go and you can add 1GB of usage for £10.49, which must be used within 30 days. Alternatively, you can get 3GB for £20.99. This must be used within three months of purchase.

T-Mobile iPad Mini Sim deals

T-Mobile iPad Sim pay as you go customers can get 250MB per day for £2, or 500MB for £7 - to be used within a week. T-Mobile's one-month, rolling contract option is £15 per month for 1GB to be used within a month of purchase.

Do I really need an iPad Mini SIM deal?

If you’re planning to use your iPad to get online while you’re on the move and want total convenience to do so, the answer is yes. You will still be able to use it for this purpose at your place residence with your wireless home broadband connection. However, if you do not have an iPad Mini SIM deal, you’ll have to rely on WiFi hotspots if you want to surf on the go.