The success of Apple's iPad and subsequent tablets by other manufacturers has led to new tariff plans for mobile broadband, namely packages specifically sold for the iPad or tablets in general. This research brief analyzes operators' data service plans for iPads and tablets in 16 Western European countries during the fourth quarter of 2011. The results show that the total number of packages has decreased as more operators are offering mobile broadband plans irrespective of the type of device used. Within the specific tablet offerings, volume-based plans greatly outnumber time-based plans, and postpaid is offered much more than prepaid. The most common data allowance was 'unlimited' (albeit often with a speed reduction after a certain amount of data is used). Based on the average monthly price, the French operators charge the most, followed by operators in Norway and Belgium. We expect more and more operators to include their tablet offerings in their general mobile broadband offering, leading to fewer and fewer specific iPad/tablet packages on the market.
