O2 reveals iPad data plans

The iPad is available to pre-order in the UK from today

Apple is taking UK pre-orders for the iPad from today, with O2 the latest operator to officially announce monthly pricing options.

Prices for the Apple tablet start at £430 for the 16GB Wi-Fi version and rise to £699 for the 64GB Wi-Fi plus 3G option. Apple said that units will be made available on 28 May.

O2 said today that its iPad tariff options are available without long contracts, and include unlimited access to wireless networks from BT Openzone and The Cloud.

The operator added that it will provide additional features such as notifications when customers approach their data limits.

"We are truly excited to provide service for the iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G," said O2 marketing director Sally Cowdry.

"We have worked closely with Apple to make sure customers get an excellent experience when using their iPad Wi-Fi + 3G on O2. Not only will it be quick and easy to buy value-for-money data access from the device, but customers will benefit from our great network and customer service and access to thousands of public Wi-Fi hotspots."

O2 offers a pay-as-you-go service for £2 per day and two monthly tariffs, a 1GB plus unlimited Wi-Fi for £10 a month and 3GB plus unlimited Wi-Fi for £15 a month.

The operator explained that the 3GB option will let users view roughly 30,000 web pages, and download around 600 albums or six hours of video.

IPad owners will also be able to visit O2 high street and online stores and pick up a free micro-SIM. However, the firm has not said when this will be available.

Pricing from Orange is detailed on the Apple iPad web site. Like O2, Orange is offering a £2 a day deal, but differs slightly on its other tariffs.

Orange customers can expect to pay £7.50 a week for a 1GB connection, or £15 a month for 3GB and £25 for 10GB. The Orange monthly contracts also include the unlimited wireless options offered by O2.

Vodafone has not officially confirmed its own pricing.