Apple’s tablets will reportedly sell in the U.K. for more than 60% off. Could it happen here?
Americans dreaming of an iPad Chrismas will be watching closely to see if AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ) follow the lead of Orange and T-Mobile (DT), two carriers authorized to sell 3G iPads in the United Kingdom.
On Monday, Everything Everywhere, a joint venture of the two firms, announced that it will be selling — for the first time anywhere — a subsidized version of Apple’s (AAPL) tablet computer. Customers who agree to a 18- or 24-month contract will be able to pick up a 16-GB Wi-Fi+3G iPad for considerably less than its current £529 ($845) sticker price.
According to several reports, iPads purchased on these terms could cost as little as £200 ($320), or 62% off.
If the U.S.-based carriers were to offer similar deals, you might be able to pick up a $629 iPad for less than $240.
Of course you’d also locked into 24 monthly payments of between $14.99 (250 MB/mo.) and $25 (2 GB/mo.) for your 3G access. But cellphone operators know that most customers are willing to agree to make payments in the future if they can take him a shiny new toy right now.
[Follow Philip Elmer-DeWitt on Twitter @philiped]