--- description: The problem with monthly data plans for tablets is that you might end up paying for service you don't use. So AT&T is trying a... title: AT&T Will Do Day Passes for Tablet Data image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcfa5358262e9d9ea/6998b9d2e2d64b289bc5de85/attlogo.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Business](/section/business/) * [Tech](/tag/time-section-tech/) # AT&T Will Do Day Passes for Tablet Data by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) Oct 17, 2013 9:41 PM CUT  REUTERS / RICK WILKING by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) Oct 17, 2013 9:41 PM CUT The problem with monthly data plans for tablets is that you might end up paying for service you don’t use. So AT&T is trying a different approach, where users can buy short-term data plans instead. As [All Things D reports](http://allthingsd.com/20131017/att-announces-5-tablet-day-passes-deal-to-power-teslas-in-car-wireless/ "undefined"), tablet users will soon be able to pay $5 for a day pass that includes 250 MB of data. AT&T will also offer a three-month pass with 1 GB of total data for $25. Currently, AT&T’s cheapest individual tablet plan is $15 per month for 250 MB of data, but if you’re on a shared data plan, you can pay $10 per month to connect a tablet, plus whatever you’re already paying for smartphone coverage. The short-term plans are cheaper if all you need is a day or two of data, and you don’t want to deal with recurring monthly charges. Of course, this requires you to have a tablet that’s compatible with AT&T’s network in the first place, and that can be pricey on its own. Apple’s [iPad](http://techland.time.com/2013/10/08/apple-event-to-launch-new-ipads-and-more-reportedly-pegged-for-october-22/ "undefined"), for instance, costs $130 extra for 4G LTE connectivity, while Google’s [Nexus 7](http://techland.time.com/2013/07/24/google-unveils-a-new-nicer-pricier-nexus-7-tablet/ "undefined") is $80 more expensive with 4G LTE. During GigaOM’s Mobilize conference, AT&T senior vice president Chris Penrose said the cost of adding cellular modules to tablets is going down, All Things D reports. Over time, AT&T hopes that tablet makers will start including those modules by default. But tablet hardware is a cutthroat business. Many device makers are racing to the bottom on pricing, so every dollar reduced from the final retail price is crucial. A teardown of the 3rd-generation iPad [by iSuppli](http://www.isuppli.com/Teardowns/News/Pages/New-iPad-32-GB-4G-Carries-364-35-Bill-of-Materials.aspx "undefined") estimated that the 4G model cost an extra $42 to manufacture. The inclusion of cellular modules isn’t likely to become standard until the cost is negligible. It’s unclear when AT&T will start offering day passes and three-month passes. In the meantime, just consider [setting up your phone as a mobile hotspot](http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB410606&cv=820#fbid=uBHstF5Hx-m "undefined") instead, as this allows you to connect any Wi-Fi enabled device. With AT&T, mobile hotspot use costs $20 extra per month on an individual plan, but it’s free if you’re on a shared data plan. 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