iPad launched, but what will it mean for mobile broadband?

So the iPad was launched to - let's face it - less than tumultuous excitement yesterday; but while many of the 'what is it?' and 'what will it do?' questions have been answered, there are still question marks about how the iPad will fit into the UK market.

Prior to the launch rumours began to surface that Apple was doing the rounds of UK mobile broadband suppliers, looking to broker a deal to subsidise the device prior to UK launch. In the US, Apple has again done a deal with its exclusive partner AT&T, but it seems that so far no deals have been struck this side of the Atlantic - which could be why no UK pricing has been released.

The iPad is due to launch here in March, and will almost certainly be tied in with mobile broadband packages in order to both subsidise the cost of the product and to provide connectivity for what is without a shadow of a doubt a device aimed at internet-enabled activities. The iPad is expected to catch the attention of consumers who are interested in a mobile internet connection but do not already use a connection via their mobile phones, or who want more from their mobile internet than a small phone screen can offer. Recent research has shown as much as 76 per cent of UK consumers do not use their handsets to access the internet.

It seems a little odd that no UK pricing has yet been announced, given that mobile broadband providers were expected to scramble for a partnership with Apple; but one hurdle could be the terms under which Apple wants to undertake such a partnership. In the US, the company has forced AT&T to offer the iPad on short rolling contracts - which removes the security which traditionally underpins such subsidy partnerships - and which could potentially be offputting to the likes of O2, Vodafone and Orange.