How much does a data SIM for a tablet cost?
A data-only SIM for a tablet costs EUR 12.95-14.99 per month in the verified offers: ho. lists 500 GB in 5G at EUR 12.95 and Iliad lists 350 GB at EUR 14.99; the first month also includes activation.
Verifiable answer
A data-only SIM for a tablet costs EUR 12.95-14.99 per month in the verified offers: ho. lists 500 GB in 5G at EUR 12.95 and Iliad lists 350 GB at EUR 14.99; the first month also includes activation.
- How much does a data SIM for a tablet cost?
- €14.99 / SIM per month
- €12.95 – €14.99
- Italy; 5G depends on coverage and device
- 10 October 2026
- Confidence: High
- Monthly fee for the data plan; 350 GB in Italy with Iliad Dati 350; 500 GB in 5G with ho. data-only; EU data within the provider's stated allowance
- Buying a tablet or router; Calls and texts charged by use where not included; Usage above the available allowance; Roaming outside the EU; Insurance, premium support and paid apps
- Included monthly data; One-off activation charge; 4G and 5G coverage where used; Tablet SIM or eSIM compatibility; Data available in the European Union
- 3 sources
Short answer
The monthly fee is only part of the first payment. A data-only SIM does not automatically replace a voice line and should be assessed alongside coverage, EU allowance and any out-of-bundle use.
A tablet with cellular connectivity can get online without tethering to a phone or finding Wi-Fi, but the number to compare is not merely the prominently displayed monthly fee. Data-only plans often offer large allowances, do not necessarily include calls or texts, and may charge activation in the first month. To keep the comparison concrete, this guide uses two official, available offers aimed at people who mainly need data: Iliad Dati 350, at EUR 14.99 per month for 350 GB in Italy, and ho. data-only, at EUR 12.95 per month for 500 GB in 5G. Their fees differ because their allowances and conditions differ, so turning them into a made-up average would be misleading. The starting cost matters too: Iliad states EUR 9.99 activation, while ho. shows an EUR 18.99 initial total made up of activation and the first top-up. This guide keeps renewal separate from the first payment.
What is included
- Monthly fee for the data plan
- 350 GB in Italy with Iliad Dati 350
- 500 GB in 5G with ho. data-only
- EU data within the provider's stated allowance
What is not included
- Buying a tablet or router
- Calls and texts charged by use where not included
- Usage above the available allowance
- Roaming outside the EU
- Insurance, premium support and paid apps
How the price breaks down
| Item | Type | Frequency | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iliad Dati 350 monthly chargeMonthly charge for the data-only offer with 350 GB in Italy. | Compulsory | per month | €14.99 |
| Iliad Dati 350 activationOne-off charge stated in the contract summary, separate from the recurring fee. | Compulsory | one-off | €9.99 |
| ho. data-only monthly chargePublished monthly charge for 500 GB in 5G. | Compulsory | per month | €12.95 |
| ho. data-only activationInitial activation charge stated on the offer page, separate from the monthly renewal. | Compulsory | one-off | €5.99 |
What the price depends on
- Included monthly data
- One-off activation charge
- 4G and 5G coverage where used
- Tablet SIM or eSIM compatibility
- Data available in the European Union
Hidden costs
- One-off activation in the first month
- Charges for calls and texts if the SIM is used for telephony
- EU allowance lower than the Italian allowance
- No 5G coverage or an incompatible tablet
- Rapid consumption from tethering, high-definition video or large updates
Three realistic scenarios
Lowest verified monthly fee
€12.95
You choose ho. data-only and, after the first month, pay its published fee for 500 GB in 5G.
Standard Iliad monthly fee
€14.99
You choose Iliad Dati 350 and pay EUR 14.99 per month for 350 GB in Italy.
First Iliad month
€25
The EUR 14.99 monthly fee is joined by the EUR 9.99 activation charge in the contract summary.
How to spend less
- Check whether your tablet supports a physical SIM or eSIM before ordering a plan.
- Compare the first charge with the standard fee; activation should not be multiplied by twelve.
- Estimate data use from real habits: 350 GB can be excessive for email, browsing and documents.
- Check the provider's coverage where you actually use the tablet, not only in your municipality.
- If you will travel, compare the EU data allowance: it is not the same as the Italian allowance.
Frequently asked questions
Will a data SIM work in every tablet?
No. The tablet needs a cellular modem and a SIM slot or eSIM compatibility; a Wi-Fi-only model cannot use a data SIM directly. Check the device specifications before choosing a plan and its supported format. Alternatively, the SIM can be used in a compatible mobile router.
Is the first-month price the same as the monthly fee?
Not always. Iliad Dati 350 states EUR 14.99 per month plus EUR 9.99 activation. ho.'s page shows EUR 18.99 as the initial total, made up of EUR 5.99 activation and the first top-up, from which the EUR 12.95 renewal is taken. Always compare renewal and set-up separately.
Can I use a data-only SIM to make calls?
That is not its main purpose. The Iliad Dati 350 summary lists calls and texts as pay-as-you-go, while ho. states specific prices where its data-only offer is used to call or text. If the tablet is also meant for mobile telephony, read the call and text terms first rather than assuming they are included.
Does the Italian data allowance apply abroad?
No. A separate EU allowance applies. The Iliad Dati 350 summary states 23 GB in Europe, much less than the 350 GB available in Italy; ho. publishes its own EU allowance too. For a long trip, check the offer's EU data figure before leaving.
Is 5G guaranteed with a data SIM?
No. ho. lists its plan with 500 GB in 5G, but actual availability requires coverage in the area and a compatible tablet or router. Even in a covered area, speed and stability may vary with congestion and network conditions. The fee buys access to the offer, not a universal minimum speed.
Sources and methodology
How we worked it out
We opened Iliad's transparency page and the Dati 350 contract summary. Together they list the offer as available, its EUR 14.99 fee and 350 GB allowance; the summary also states the EUR 9.99 activation charge. We then opened ho.'s official data-only offer page, which shows 500 GB in 5G at EUR 12.95 per month and an EUR 18.99 initial total. The headline figures are providers' tariffs, not comparison-site estimates. We exclude the price of the tablet or router, subscription apps, usage outside the EU and any voice bundle. Digital offers change quickly, which is why the review date is close.
Why this confidence level
Confidence is high for fees, allowances and starting charges because they come from operator pages and contract documents opened on the verification date. It is not high for real connection quality: that depends on location, congestion and tablet model, none of which a tariff can guarantee.
Iliad data-only offer: 350 GB in Italy at EUR 14.99 per month plus EUR 9.99 activation
Sintesi contrattuale iliad Dati 350 (opens in a new tab)
Iliad Italia S.p.A. · Company price list · Verified on 10 October 2026
Official contract summary opened on 10 October 2026. We checked the recurring charge, Italian and EU allowances, and activation charge; calls and texts are charged by use.
Authority4/5
Iliad Dati 350 listed among available offers at EUR 14.99 per month
Trasparenza tecnica e tariffaria Mobile (opens in a new tab)
Iliad Italia S.p.A. · Company price list · Verified on 10 October 2026
Official page opened on 10 October 2026: it confirms Dati 350 is available and separates expired offers from current ones.
Authority4/5
ho. data-only offer: 500 GB in 5G at EUR 12.95 per month, with a EUR 18.99 initial total
ho. Mobile, offerta solo dati (opens in a new tab)
VEI S.r.l. (ho. Mobile) · Company price list · Verified on 10 October 2026
Official page opened on 10 October 2026. The initial total includes EUR 5.99 activation and the first top-up, from which the renewal is taken.
Authority4/5
Revision history
First published on 10 October 2026 with fees, allowances and initial charges checked on official Iliad and ho. Mobile documents.
- 10 October 2026
- 10 October 2026
- 10 January 2027
What did you actually pay?
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