Lack of texting spells bad news for holidaying iPad owners

Owners of Apple's iPad may be unable to connect their £700 gadgets while on holiday, it has emerged.

Some models of the iPad use the 3G phone network to connect users. However, the device cannot receive text messages, meaning operators cannot comply with European legal requirements to send customers a text message when they enter a foreign country to warn them of the increased cost of using a mobile phone overseas.

The technicality means that some British operators, including Orange, may not be able to connect customers who have purchased a Sim card to use in their iPad to connect to foreign networks. Customers who have purchased a Sim card from O2 also will not be able to use foreign 3G networks as the network sells the iPad only on a pre-paid basis that does not allow for roaming.

Apple's terms and conditions insist that iPad buyers need to subscribe to a network's service plan to enable international roaming. Some European networks have looked to find a way around the regulation by sending customers an email when entering a foreign country. The firm declined to comment on the issue.

More than two million iPads have been sold worldwide since April.