Separate data plans for iPads are one of the biggest rip offs in telecom. Very few people use the mobile cellular feature at all, yet pay $20-40/month for the feature. Any cellular-enabled iPad has an eSIM that offers on-demand data plans from major operators and smaller providers. You can purchase a plan directly through the iPad (go to Settings → Cellular Data → Select a provider), but there’s a cheaper option. If your plan allows it, the hotspot feature on your phone will allow you to tether your iPad to your phone and use the phone’s data plan. On the iPhone, go to Settings → Personal Hotspot to activate. Then your phone should appear as a wifi option in your iPad. Note that the hotspot feature tends to drain the battery, so be sure to turn it off when not actively using it.
