Will network hogs run on 3G iPads?

 

With 3G iPad upon us, the question looms whether Apple and AT&T will cripple software like Skype and SlingPlayer that wants to carry voice and stream video over 3G cellular networks. Am I freaking out? Hardly.
Skype has just updated its app with iPad support and guess what – it still lacks 3G VoIP calling. Is it because the iPad? Will the upcoming SlingPlayer app for iPad impose the same limitations?
If data requests from iPhone users have strained AT&T’s 3G network, imagine what millions of 3G iPads could do. I’m not overreacting, iPad apps are more data-hungry and can run at least double the time on the network between charges than the iPhone software.
AT&T and Apple have remained mum on network hogs thus far. Some folks think the iPad apps will be allowed to stream only low-resolution video over AT&T’s 3G network. Higher-quality videos will need to go through WiFi instead, those people speculate. Meanwhile, AT&T says it’s gearing up for the next wave of tablets.

As Geek reported, AT&T is in the process of upgrading its 3G network to support a speedier HSDPA devices, like the iPhone 3GS and iPad. However, should network hogs be allowed on the iPad, users better keep tabs on their bandwidth consumption. AT&T’s pay-as-you-go data plans for the iPad include either the $14.99 a month 250MB plan or the $30 a month unlimited 3G data plan.
Both plans offer free access to AT&T’s nationwide WiFi hotspots and come without a contract, allowing you to cancel 3G service anytime, directly from the device. Folks on the 250MB plan will want to avoid running apps like SlingPlayer over 3G. For AT&T, the capped 250MB plan means they can plan per-user revenue in advance, unlike the unlimited 3G plan.
You can also bet that network hogs on the iPad, if allowed on 3G network, will utilize cellular data aggressively because apps like SlingPlayer will want to retrieve higher-quality media optimized for the iPad’s big screen. This, in turn, will lead to an increased per-user cellular data consumption.
Summing up, this doesn’t bode well for AT&T whose 3G network is barely keeping up with iPhone users. What’s your say? Will users be allowed to run apps that stream television and movies to iPads? Chime in with your thoughts in the comment section.