So, you've got your iPad pre-ordered. You did it nice and early, so you know you'll definitely be getting it delivered on Friday. Plus you've had a look at our data plan comparison guide, and you're all set for some serious 3G surfing. You're very well prepared, you're an expert early adopter. Well done.

But what's this? 3 Mobile have come along and thrown its hat into the 3G plan ring and has, essentially, blown all of the competition out of the water. Well, you couldn't have seen that coming. We'll be honest, neither did we.

3 is offering two rolling monthly deals. One is £7.50 for a solitary GB of 3G data. The next, and the one that is going to cause all of the fuss, is the 10GB plan - for just £15.

For £15 on O2, Orange and Vodafone you get just 3GB. Admittedly O2 and Orange offer BT Openzone Wi-Fi access but those extra 7GBs of 3G will more than make up for that exclusion.

"3 is pleased to offer competitive data plans for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G in the UK,” said Marc Allera, sales and marketing director at 3. “Our network, the largest in the country, has been optimised for the mobile Internet, ensuring our customers enjoy the very best mobile performance on iPad."

Whether they are the best is for the public to decide, but one thing's for sure, they are the most competitive by a country mile.

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