Hutchison Austria is following in the wake of the iPhone and is offering a subsidized iPad to users willing to commit to a 2-year data contract, Engadget reports. When you sign up for a €29.90, 5GB monthly contract, you’ll get a €333 markdown on the iPad — which may or may not be all that much since we still don’t know how much an iPad is going to cost overseas. Instead of built-in 3G service, a Huawei i-Mo 3G modem will be provided.

It’s not a bad idea, and we’re likely to see more carriers jump on this particular bandwagon as the iPad gets closer to release. What I would love to see from carriers is a way to extend existing service for iPhone customers to those who want an iPad plus iPhone.

AT&T already gets close to $100 a month from me for basic cell service, plus iPhone data and a text messaging plan. I wouldn’t mind paying an additional $5-10 a month for my iPhone contract to cover an iPad as well.

The thought of having to pay another $15 or $30 a month for extra 3G service to an iPad, on top of the charges already being paid for an iPhone, leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and if the decision is made to have an iPad join my family, I’m most likely sticking with Wi-Fi only.

Hutchison offers discounted iPad in Austria originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hutchison offers discounted iPad in Austria originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.