The iPad hasn’t even washed ashore in the United Kingdom yet, and already the competition over iPad data plans has heated up.

According to MacNN, Vodafone U.K. has already taken steps to modify their local data plans for the iPad, which is expected to finally land in the country on May 28th. The carrier’s initial plan was to offer two monthly data plans for the iPad, similar to what AT&T has done here in the U.S. — but unlike here, the competition in the U.K. is pretty fierce.

Vodafone’s initial offering was to give customers the choice of either 250MB for £10, or a “more practical” 5GB for £25 plan. As noted by MacNN, “This put the company in a weak position next to O2, which is selling 1GB for £10, and Orange, which has 10GB for £25.” Yes, you read that right: U.K. residents have not one, not two but three choices for their iPad data service!

Feeling the competitive heat, Vodafone’s £10 plan has now been bumped up to 1GB to bring it in line with O2’s offering, with the £25 plan left unchanged. Vodafone has instead added a third middle-ground option, which is 3GB per month for £15. Unlike their competition, Vodafone is not offering a “daily use” plan.

While Americans might be able to gloat about getting the iPad in their hands first, it seems we should bow our heads in shame when we realize how our data plans stack up against our friends across the pond. AT&T, are you listening…?

(Image courtesy Geeky-Gadgets.com)