On Thursday, a report from GottaBeMobile revealed that Verizon has officially unveiled pricing for iPad 3rd gen data plans. Apple released the New iPad (third generation) last week and unveiled the support for 4G LTE technology for the new iPad. Apple also announced that the Mobile Hotspot feature will now be included in iPad 3rd gen.

The Mobile Hotspot feature allows users to share the device’s cellular connection with other devices as a WiFi network. The data connectivity can then be attached to any device or notebook computer to browse the web.

What I didn’t see when I went looking for [details] is how much extra mobile hotspot costs. On Verizon, adding this feature on phones adds an extra $20/month but also an extra 2GB of data, meaning you can get up to 12GB in a month if you’re willing to pay $100.

However, a Verizon Wireless spokesperson informed me that for tablets (including the new iPad), the mobile hotspot feature is included in the data plan’s price. iPad owners won’t have to pay extra to activate mobile hotspot, even with the 1GB plan.

AT&T, the second carrier for 4G LTE on the New iPad, has yet to announce specifics about mobile hotspot functionality on the New iPad. AT&T has, however, provided a statement to 9to5Mac that they are “working with Apple” on this issue, but is not offering this feature at all right now.

It is very likely that AT&T will also provide the Mobile Hotspot feature and may make it free in order to compete with Verizon. This feature will make Verizon more attractive to potential customers who also own a laptop computer or are looking to share the data network with other devices.

{via MacRumors}