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Very Few Use the Broadband Radios on Their Tablets
80% of Tablets are Wi-Fi Only, Half With Radios Aren't Used
According to a new study by the NPD Group and Connected Intelligence, 80% of the 60.8 million tablets currently estimated to be in use are Wi-Fi only. Of those tablets that do have an embedded 3G or 4G radio, only about half of them have an active data plan. Meanwhile, 83% of video viewing on tablets is done in the home. You'll recall that wireless carriers first got terribly excited about selling netbooks, then got terribly excited about selling tablets, but data continues to show that people aren't interested in shelling out the extra money for a device-specific data plan. However, shared data plans that allow users to add a tablet to a plan for just an additional $10 each month could slowly change these numbers slightly.
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ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

1 recommendation

ArrayList

Premium Member

let me think about that.

the service costs are too damn high.

Mike
Mod
join:2000-09-17
Pittsburgh, PA

Mike

Mod

Re: let me think about that.

Yep.

I had one for awhile on VZ and couldn't justify the cost with the amount of non-usage I had from it.

battleop
join:2005-09-28
00000

battleop to ArrayList

Member

to ArrayList
It's better and cheaper to buy a WiFi tablet with a MiFi type device.
silbaco
Premium Member
join:2009-08-03
USA

silbaco

Premium Member

Re: let me think about that.

That it is. That's exactly what I plan to do whenever the local wireless company expands their 4G coverage. Plus you can use the mifi on other devices. They make an excellent backup connection.

David
Premium Member
join:2002-05-30
Granite City, IL

David to battleop

Premium Member

to battleop
said by battleop:

It's better and cheaper to buy a WiFi tablet with a MiFi type device.

agreed that's why I still have a cradlepoint phs300 v1 device and a virgin mobile usb stick. The virgin mobile unit is the $40 unlimited plan. Worked fantastic when you slap it in a 2010 traverse and have internet music to listen to all the way down to port aransas, TX.

Maxo
Your tax dollars at work.
Premium Member
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL

Maxo to battleop

Premium Member

to battleop
said by battleop:

It's better and cheaper to buy a WiFi tablet with a MiFi type device.

I run Cyanogenmod on my phone and just tether whatever device I need to, laptop, tablet, etc. I have turned my phone's data plan in to a true shared plan.

Andy from CA
Premium Member
join:2008-09-05
Anaheim, CA

Andy from CA to battleop

Premium Member

to battleop
Exactly, I have an iPhone and use it, for what seems like, endlessly listening to internet radio (plug Psychedelic Bee Gees on Radionomy /plug) on WiFi with only a smattering on 3G. I keep well under my 200MB limit and listen to quality audio without spending a penny in addition to my internet cost. Classical music on OGG 256kbit sounds quite nice. With WiFi I will be able to TuneIn.
Kamus
join:2011-01-27
El Paso, TX

Kamus to ArrayList

Member

to ArrayList
said by ArrayList:

the service costs are too damn high.

Agreed, I've said this before and i'll say it again:

If i can save just one dollar if i get the WiFi version. I'll get that one instead of the other one.

Boricua
Premium Member
join:2002-01-26
Sacramuerto

Boricua to ArrayList

Premium Member

to ArrayList
said by ArrayList:

the service costs are too damn high.

»www.youtube.com/watch?v= ··· SwyTvAHw


Eagles1221
join:2009-04-29
Vincentown, NJ

Eagles1221

Member

Slow news day?

At the cost of data and given how much time people stay at home this is news? I have a tablet and an *pad - I use the hotspot on my phone instead of paying for more and more data on the devices.

In other news, I went to a hockey game and saw a fight, mom's homemade brownies are better than school cafeterias, and over eating can make you overweight.
xenophon
join:2007-09-17

1 recommendation

xenophon

Member

Re: Slow news day?

Tablets with 3G/4G are for data munchers not savvy enough to tether phone. Tethering is the way to go if in the know but is understandable carriers would try to sucker who they can into it.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Slow news day?

said by xenophon:

Tablets with 3G/4G are for data munchers not savvy enough to tether phone.

Or those without smartphones and the requisite data plans?

floyd007
join:2004-06-07
Glen Allen, VA

floyd007

Member

Re: Slow news day?

Unfortunately, I have a HTC Rezound with HTC's overlay OS which makes it impossible to tether it to my Nexus 10, unless I employ Bluetooth, with is slower than dial up. So I bit the bullet and obtained a Verizon MiFi 5 GB per month for $60.00.
I will purchase the Motorola X and since like the Nexus 4, has no overlays from another company, I will be able to tether it to my Nexus 10 [a co worker has Nexus 4 mobile tethered to a Nexus 10 tablet]

jmn1207
Premium Member
join:2000-07-19
Sterling, VA

jmn1207

Premium Member

Re: Slow news day?

My HTC Rezound's mobile hot spot feature works just like any other wifi connection. It must be the plan type you are using. My phone bill with Verizon is just over $100 per month with 10GB of data. I can't imagine the MiFi at $60 is cheaper than using mobile wifi to connect your tablet.

floyd007
join:2004-06-07
Glen Allen, VA

floyd007

Member

Re: Slow news day?

I have unlimited data plan. Various websites indicated if one has a shared plan, the hot spot is not disabled, unlimited it is. A co worker has pure Android on his Nexus 4 and can use WiFI, I cannot because of the overlay. He also has unlimited. Going to Google Play and using these free devices, other HTC Rezound users with unlimited plan have the exact same issue. The Motorola X should not have this limitation but IK signed a contract for 2 years. So far I obtain broadband speed wherever I go [so far]

FlyBoyMark
@spcsdns.net

FlyBoyMark

Anon

Prices

Primarilly because the date rates are to friggn expensive. And like me, I use it (HTC EVO View 4G and Samsung Tab 7 Plus) as an IP based phone and the crappy cell networks choke unless its after 10 at nite when you try to do that unless you are on Wi-Fi. The carriers have no incentive to push tablets, because of their features, they would cannablize their rip-off phone contracts. The built in ear phone on ALL of the Samsung tablets that the carriers sell has been removed. GEE! I wonder why?

anondownload
@comcast.net

anondownload

Anon

Re: Prices

said by FlyBoyMark :

Primarilly because the date rates are to friggn expensive. And like me, I use it (HTC EVO View 4G and Samsung Tab 7 Plus) as an IP based phone and the crappy cell networks choke unless its after 10 at nite when you try to do that unless you are on Wi-Fi. The carriers have no incentive to push tablets, because of their features, they would cannablize their rip-off phone contracts. The built in ear phone on ALL of the Samsung tablets that the carriers sell has been removed. GEE! I wonder why?

certain carriers offer unlimited data for phones but not tablets, they do not want consumers to have a reason to call there tablet a giant phone.
anondownload

anondownload

Anon

no unlimited

offer an unlimited option at a low affordable price after this will change overnight. in fact people would gradually start dropping there home internet connections if they could get multiple mobile plans with unlimited(for phone, laptop and tablet.)

people will do this even with average 3G(no 4G needed) speeds. i know lots of people with fast mobile internet and much slower home internet that they purchase only because it is unlimited.

however i do wonder how many tablets are connected to mobile broadband via wifi. for example through mifi devices and/or tethering. i assume the study counts these connections as wifi even though they ultimately use a mobile connection. for every one person i know with a broadband enabled tablet there are 10 with a mobile hotspot on there cell phone. either from a carrier that allows it without charge such as t-mobile or cricket. or through an app that bypasses the tethering restriction.

carpetshark3
Premium Member
join:2004-02-12
Idledale, CO

carpetshark3

Premium Member

Re: no unlimited

I have a 4G phone, live on top of a hill, and rarely get any speed from carrier. My home wifi is faster. I could get a different carrier, but mine lets me do things my way.
Bring my own phone, root it, whatever.

Tablet is wifi only, and streaming video does pretty good. We don't need or care about HDTV. We don't do movies. Mostly too violent or stupid. We have a Roku box and MLB.

All apps on tablet have to be standalone and need no connection besides GPS. You need coordinates for astronomy and we go where there is no carrier connection.
clone (banned)
join:2000-12-11
Portage, IN

clone (banned)

Member

Re: no unlimited

Just out of curiosity, what carriers do you know of that wouldn't let you bring your own phone or root it?

I've had all of the Big 4, and with the exception of Sprint (which isn't faster than your current carrier, whoever it is), you can bring your own phone to all of them. None of the Big 4 give a rat's behind about rooting, jailbreaking, etc.

I can't remember the last time (other than on Sprint) that I had to do anything other than pop my SIM card out of the device I'm currently using and into another one to switch devices.

carpetshark3
Premium Member
join:2004-02-12
Idledale, CO

carpetshark3

Premium Member

Re: no unlimited

said by clone:

Just out of curiosity, what carriers do you know of that wouldn't let you bring your own phone or root it?

I've had all of the Big 4, and with the exception of Sprint (which isn't faster than your current carrier, whoever it is), you can bring your own phone to all of them. None of the Big 4 give a rat's behind about rooting, jailbreaking, etc.

I can't remember the last time (other than on Sprint) that I had to do anything other than pop my SIM card out of the device I'm currently using and into another one to switch devices.

I've seen complaints about some on cell fora, but unlocking was the last big complaint. I buy unlocked phones instead of carrier's
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

1 recommendation

rradina

Member

Tablets Are Not Phones

As long as tablets aren't phones, we'll still need a phone. Our phones are always with us and can provide data to the tablet.

IMO tablet cell capability is good for corporate-owned tablets with LOB applications. For instance, insurance sales or some other kind of very mobile field operations. This also helps to keep business and personal data usage fees separate.

StuartMW
Premium Member
join:2000-08-06

StuartMW

Premium Member

My tablet...

My tablet is Wi-Fi only. I didn't want to pay for one with a 3G/4G radio and service because I prefer not to be tracked 24/7/365 by the service provider and whoever else (e.g. the NSA). I've haven't got a smartphone either.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: My tablet...

So you think you aren't being tracked?

StuartMW
Premium Member
join:2000-08-06

StuartMW

Premium Member

Re: My tablet...

Of course not. Android and apps "phone home" whenever the tablet is on (Wi-Fi is disabled when it's off and I've confirmed that). Now the best they can do to identify my location (GPS is disabled) by IP and that's hundreds of miles off. Anything with a radio is tracked by cell tower pinging etc.
CXM_Splicer
Looking at the bigger picture
Premium Member
join:2011-08-11
NYC

CXM_Splicer

Premium Member

Re: My tablet...

Of course Google also uses its MAC id database of all of our wireless routers to pinpoint your location. There is an option under Location settings to turn it off but who knows if that prevents the tablet/phone from reporting it anyway (even though the apps won't have access to it).
podstolom
join:2010-01-25
Wichita, KS

podstolom

Member

The carriers....

have only themselves to blame for this state of affairs. I have a dead 3G modem in my netbook too. Makes me mad as hell I can't use it because Verizon wants an arm and a leg for service. Can't tether my smartphone either because Verizon wants another arm and a leg for that also. Sure I could go to Sharing Plan and pay 2 arms and 2 legs. Sure carriers got all excited with the "killing" they were going to make on serving embedded modems. Ever see a modern ultrabook with an embedded cell modem in it? Nope, neither have I.

On the other hand, Wi-Fi is connect and go. Offer that kind of service on 3G/4G with no "access fees" and the embedded modem will be useful. But as long as profit model trumps the wi-fi model of connection, the modems in current machines will remain dormant.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: The carriers....

said by podstolom:

have only themselves to blame for this state of affairs.

Do they care? Have any carriers seriously pushed tablets on their networks?

anondownload
@comcast.net

anondownload

Anon

Re: The carriers....

said by openbox9:

said by podstolom:

have only themselves to blame for this state of affairs.

Do they care? Have any carriers seriously pushed tablets on their networks?

at&t offered unlimited on the ipad at release. verizon had the same for the ipad 2. i believe it was pretty popular until they got rid of unlimited in favor of metered tiers. at least i know i few people who signed up when unlimited was available, but i do not know a single person who signup up for a tiered plan.

Majestik
World Traveler
Premium Member
join:2001-05-11
Tulsa, OK

Majestik

Premium Member

Re: The carriers....

Still using my $30/mo AT&T grandpa unlimited data plan on my IPad 4 LTE. Very happy with it.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9 to anondownload

Premium Member

to anondownload
Ok. I don't know of a consumer that pays for a tablet data plan. I know of people that paid up for the cellular radio in their tablets for some reason, but nobody that pays for service beyond WiFi. I can understand AT&T and the initial iPad launch. Beyond that, it doesn't seem as though carriers have seriously marketed tablets on their networks....at least anything close to how they market phones with data plans.

jasqid
Fiber In Your Diet?
join:2002-04-02
East Palestine, OH

jasqid

Member

I have a Xoom with 4GLTE

And Yes, I pay $10 a month to have the 4G on my Xoom. I don't use this for watching Netflix and Hulu, I use this for business purposes when t a customer's home or onsite.

Watching Video over cellular is crazy expensive and no one in their right mind would do it until the companies are more reasonable on their bandwidth costs.
b10010011
Whats a Posting tag?
join:2004-09-07
united state

b10010011

Member

Because data plans are stupidly expencive

That is why I did not even consider a tablet with 3g/4g capability.

norbert26
Premium Member
join:2010-08-10
Warwick, RI

norbert26

Premium Member

Re: Because data plans are stupidly expencive

when i bought my iPad i passed on a cellular radio why have it when data is limited if i need to briefly use it my iPhone hotspot will handle it.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Because data plans are stupidly expencive

said by norbert26:

when i bought my iPad i passed on a cellular radio why have it when data is limited if i need to briefly use it my iPhone hotspot will handle it.

Also, now that smartphones have 5" and 5.5" screens, a tablet is really not needed for occasional use away from WiFi. A big screened smartphone is just fine for that.
betam4x
join:2002-10-12
Nashville, TN

betam4x

Member

Tethering

I tether via CM10.1's built in portable wifi hotspot with my Galaxy S III, saves on the monthly fee, and i can use it as infrequently as i want.
elray
join:2000-12-16
Santa Monica, CA

elray

Member

Non-expiring bulk data, please

I take no issue paying by the bit for data service, but its the monthly minimum plan structure that kills its potential on slates and tablets for me.

Walmart's Internet To Go (TruConnect) costs $15/GB, meeting Karl's journalistic standard for "high per-GB charges", but you actually own the bits in perpetuity - perfect for itinerant and sporadic use.

Unfortunately, it requires buying and lugging a MiFi unit around and keeping it charged, rather than being an option for a built-in radio.

anondownload
@comcast.net

anondownload

Anon

Re: Non-expiring bulk data, please

said by elray:

I take no issue paying by the bit for data service, but its the monthly minimum plan structure that kills its potential on slates and tablets for me.

Walmart's Internet To Go (TruConnect) costs $15/GB, meeting Karl's journalistic standard for "high per-GB charges", but you actually own the bits in perpetuity - perfect for itinerant and sporadic use.

Unfortunately, it requires buying and lugging a MiFi unit around and keeping it charged, rather than being an option for a built-in radio.

i agree something like truconnect in a SIM card would be pretty cool

Black_Mage
iMage
Premium Member
join:2012-09-12
USA

Black_Mage

Premium Member

Cost

I'm gonna start a political party and call it Bandwidth Is Too Damn High

DrModem
Trust Your Doctor
Premium Member
join:2006-10-19
USA

DrModem

Premium Member

No need to get a tablet with it's own connection...

I just tether it to my phone... problem solved.

mrherzog
join:2001-05-06
Calgary, AB

mrherzog

Member

I love my LTE PlayBook

My PlayBook only costs me an extra 20 bucks a month. The dedicated, lightning quick LTE more than justifies the 20 bucks.

My next tablet will have LTE too. It's like going from a car to a truck, once the leap is made you just can't go back.
Body Count
join:2010-09-11
Columbus, OH
Netgear CM1000
Ubiquiti EdgeRouter ER-4
Ubiquiti U6-Pro

Body Count

Member

Why even add data?

I rarely ever take my Dell Latitude 10 Win 8 tablet on the road with me. It's just too big to haul around. So why would I need data on it when I have WiFi at home and work? My phone is portable and easy to carry around so I understand needing 4G data.

Also, Verizon's share everything plan would actually increase my bill by $20 a month before I even added a tablet to it. I use the family plan for three phones right now. If I went to their share everything and added my tablet, it would be an extra $30 a month... and I'd lose 4 gigs of data every month.
dplantz
join:2000-08-02
Bradenton, FL

dplantz

Member

I use the LTE in my iPad

I use the LTE in my Ipad all the time. Its only 10 extra in my share plan with ATT and well worth it. I could use my hotspot on my phone, but that burns the battery faster and the phone gets hot. I just wish I could get say 30-50 gigs a month instead of the 6 I have now for a reasonable cost.

Disconnected
@108.247.170.x

Disconnected

Anon

No signal, no connections

When you consider the fact that a PCS cellular type signal doesn't penetrate most foliage and most structures, most people won't have any service to connect to in the first place!

xNPC
As Usual, Have Nice Day
Premium Member
join:2000-11-08
Errington, BC

xNPC

Premium Member

radio?

what's a radio?
jamesobrien
join:2013-07-16
Hudson, NY

jamesobrien

Member

Slow news Days

Tablet with 3G/4G are for data munchers not savvy enough to tether phone .

TheTechGuru
join:2004-03-25
TEXAS

TheTechGuru

Member

Just Tether Tablet to Cell Phone's Internet Connection...

If I need to get my wifi only tablet online away from home I just turn on Wifi Tether on my cell phone and connect the tablet to my phone's wifi hotspot.

Note, Rooted phone required most of the time.
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