AT&T to Sell iPads Direct to Businesses

In a move which could quickly swell the ranks of iPad users, AT&T has announced that it will begin selling iPads directly to business consumers on October 28. If that date sounds familiar, it's because it's the same day both AT&T and Verizon will begin selling iPads directly to average Joes.

"iPad is a great fit for our enterprise customers across a wide range of industries who are looking for ways to increase business productivity and offer greater flexibility," said Michael Antieri, President, Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "This new offer further strengthens AT&T's commitment to provide businesses with the tools they need to accelerate mobility-led productivity."

The new plan will allow businesses to buy the devices as well as mobile broadband price plans at AT&T's business rate, which works out to be much cheaper on a per-person basis than standard plans. This move should drastically help Apple land yet another of its products in the business world. Much in the same way iPhones now permeate high-level executive circles, iPads are poised to do the same for salespeople and other office personnel constantly on the move.

Though Verizon is going to begin offering iPads in stores on the same date there is no word of a similar business sales plan from the retailer. Thus it would seem that Apple's favored distributor is enjoying privileged status once more, standing as the only place for corporate consumers to snap up iPads and service plans at a special rate. AT&T's specific rates for corporate iPad service plans have not been stated, so it remains to be seen just how deep the discount will be.

[via PR Newswire]