The iPad 3G doesn’t arrive in the UK until May but if you manage to get hold of one early from the US or an iPad UK import through Bundlebox, you can get connected now. US iPad 3G owners have discovered that the tablet isn’t tied to AT&T and with a pair of scissors, you can make your own micro-SIM.

Vodafone, Orange and O2 have all confirmed that they’ll be offering iPad UK deals on micro-SIMs. However, scores of US and international iPad 3G owners have taken scissors to SIM cards from other networks to turn them into makeshift micro-SIM cards.

iPadWatcher reports that a Brazilian Apple fan who nabbed an iPad 3G from the US, used the AT&T SIM card as a template, removed the excess plastic from the local carrier’s SIM and was able to get online. Head to Youtube and you’ll find plenty of US iPad 3G owners running their tablets on T-Mobile.

While it does seem possible to make your own micro-SIM and get your iPad 3G online in the UK, it might not be the best move. Without an appropriate data plan you could soon rack up a massive bill and carving out your own micro-SIM could be bad for the health of your iPad 3G.

The iPad UK launch is set for late-May with pre-orders kicking off on May 10. We’re still waiting for an iPad UK price. The same goes for the micro-SIM plans from Vodafone, Orange and O2.

If you’ve done a bit of gadget DIY to get your iPad 3G online now, let us know.

Out May | £TBC | Apple

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  • http://www.ipadwatcher.com Mauricio Longo

    Down in Brazil most carriers offer a unlimited plan at a rate that that costs about 30% more than the limited – pay as you use plans. It is an important reminder to every though to be aware of their data plans or they run the risk of adding up quite a large bill.

  • andy

    Bundlebox can’t ship them anymore. Apple have cancelled all the orders they had in for foreign purchasers.. Thanks again Apple

    • http://www.electricpig.co.uk Ben Sillis

      Nice of them isn’t it? Still, importing won’t be much quicker than buying one in the UK at this rate.

  • Steve

    The SIM trimming technique also works with an O2 Pay as you go unlimited internet with WIFI options SIM in the iPad 64GB 3G…

    The pattern is different on the SIM but works nice.
    Just add the relevent APN settings available by Google searching for O2 APN settings:

    Thanks,

    Steve

  • http://www.fencing.net/ Sue

    I really don’t understand why lots and lots of people are amaze with a gadget that has no camera, no USB ports, and does not have the ability to multitask… c’mon people! wake up…..

  • Reginald

    A week ago bought micro sim adapter from http://www.gomicrosim.com. Costs only 4.5 EUR. Really worth it. Now use my simcard in both Ipad and Iphone. Should save me lots of pounds, since there is no need to sign for another plan. Highly recommend this seller, his price and
    delivery options are the best so far.

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