Meet the iPad and iPad mini

Connect to the Internet Using Cellular Data

For people who tend to travel often or who need more frequent access to the Internet than is afforded by Wi-Fi hotspots, Apple offers iPad models with cellular data access built in, the same network used by modern cell phones. With cellular data enabled, your iPad likely has Internet access nearly everywhere.

Tip

The iPad can hop onto a cellular network, but it can’t place or receive calls like an iPhone. The cellular access is strictly for data. (You can still place calls using a service such as Skype or connect with others using FaceTime.)

However, cellular is more expensive: The cellular iPad models cost $130 more than the Wi-Fi–only models in the United States and require an additional fee to ...