Top 10 iPad SIM Deals

iPad SIM cards explained

iPad SIM cards, otherwise known as microSIMs, are vital if you want to make the most of your iPad and get online and download fresh content while you’re on the go.

With a wide range of pay as you go and pay monthly iPad SIM card deals to choose from, here we’ll walk you through what each one offers to help you find the right iPad SIM card deal for your needs.

Why do I need a special iPad SIM card?

Unlike dongles and most mobile broadband enabled laptops, the iPad uses a new kind of SIM card called a microSIM. This means that you won’t be able to use your existing dongle and SIM with it in order to get online.

Instead iPad SIM cards are placed directly in the iPad. As their name suggests, microSIMs are also around 50 per smaller than conventional SIM cards.

Furthermore, because iPads are not currently sold bundled with mobile broadband contracts, signing up for an iPad SIM card deal is the only way of getting online with it right now.

Choosing an iPad SIM card deal

The fundamental question you need to ask when selecting an iPad SIM card deal is how much you plan to use mobile broadband on the device. If you’re a fairly heavy user, it’s a good idea to opt for a pay monthly deal, which will offer a higher usage limit. Conversely, lighter web users may prefer to simply add credit on a pay as you go basis.

UK iPad SIM Cards & mobile broadband providers

Most of the major UK mobile broadband suppliers now offer a wide range of affordable iPad SIM cards. These are O2, Three, Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile.

Which carriers’ deals for iPad SIM cards are the best?

This largely depends on your usage habits, which will surely determine which mobile broadband provider’s deals are best for you. However, before you sign up for any of them, it’s a good idea to check which of the three iPad SIM card deal providers offers the best and most extensive coverage in your area.

One other factor that may sway your choice is the fact that some providers include free WiFi access when you take out an iPad SIM card deal with them. Some networks offer unlimited WiFi access via hotspots across the UK operated by BT Openzone and The Cloud. However, some of these are limited to pay monthly customers.