T-Mobile offers free 200MB per month for tablet users. There are no strings attached and you do not need to be a T-Mobile customer! Any iPad with cellular access can take advantage of the free data; that includes iPads with cellular services from other providers (AT&T, Verizon).
Activate T-Mobile’s Free Data Plan for the iPad
1. Go to a T-Mobile store or order the appropriate SIM card for your device. (Refer to the chart)
You can order online here: http://www.t-mobile.com/landing/bring-your-own-tablet.html?AID=11031750&PID=3160356
(At the time of this article it cost $10 for a SIM card but keep in mind T-Mobile usually does a promotion every other month for free SIM cards so you may want to wait. I got my SIM card for free last month.)
| Model | nano-SIM card | micro-SIM card |
| iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular | ✓ | |
| iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi + Cellular | ✓ | |
| iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular | ✓ | |
| iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular | ✓ | |
| iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular | ✓ | |
| iPad 2 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)* | ✓ | |
| iPad (Wi-Fi + 3G) | ✓ |
2. Put the SIM card into the device and turn off the Wi-Fi
3. Open your browser and navigate to any page. You will be redirected to an activation page. Enter your email and activate the account. You will not be asked for your credit card information.
Note: Once you go over the 200MB data limit, the internet will cut off and you will be given the option to upgrade the data plan.
my ipad air from the apple store for t mobile came with a sim card in.
1) To activate,
go to settings
turn-off your wifi
turn on cellular data
click on “View Account”
follow the prompts
no need to go to t mobile web site, its all done one the ipad air
Ken