David M Thompson

Q: New iPad - Cellular data can not be activated!

Okay, so I have a new iPad, 64Gb 4G.

 

Celluar data plan setup with O2, and it initially works exactly as expected. However, for no apparent reason, after a while, you will get the 'Cellular Data can not be activated' message, and the only thing that will 'fix' the problem is a full power down and power up of the iPad, after which it will work just fine for another hour or so.

 

Thus far I have tried the following:

 

  • 2 different SIMs
  • Cycling Airplay mode to see if it reset the issue - it does not.
  • Full restore -  problem still re-occurs
  • Setting up the iPad as 'new' (ie. not using a restore from a previous iPad) - no difference.

 

In all cases, there is a strong to full 3G network signal available and my iPhone, which is on the same network, works just fine, so I'm pretty sure it's not a network availability issue.

 

A liberal dose of 'Google' on the problem shows this is not isolated to me, or indeed the O2 network; and for those who have taken the step of swapping out their iPad too, no effect.

 

So, throwing it open for other suggestions - pulling my hair out on this one...

Posted on Mar 27, 2012 10:57 PM

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Q: New iPad - Cellular data can not be activated!

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Antonylewis,

    Antonylewis Antonylewis Mar 28, 2012 9:10 AM in response to David M Thompson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 28, 2012 9:10 AM in response to David M Thompson
  • by Coppertiger,

    Coppertiger Coppertiger Mar 28, 2012 9:54 AM in response to David M Thompson
    Level 2 (490 points)
    Mar 28, 2012 9:54 AM in response to David M Thompson

    What are your settings under 

     

    Settings/LocationServices/System Services?

    Settings/LocationServices - Find my iPad

    Settings/General/Date and Time - Time zone

     

    These network services are all interlinked

     

    Also if you are experiencing one bar and drop outs over time - try switching between Autobrightness off or on.

    It's worth experimenting with turning your wireless service off when not using it, despite the message that keeping it on improves location accuracy.  When on it is continually consuming resources.

     

    See if you get any additional benefit from experimenting with the Maps feature iin Location Services on or off too.

     

    My 3g has improved considerably by minimising the use of Location based services to a bare minimum, particularly apps that request it - they are all off.   I am UK based on 3 network, and only lose signals generally when travelling in the more hillier terrain.

    I also experience fade ins and outs when I start with a full scale reading, it can drop to nothing, but this is generally due to power variation on the masts and number of users connected/traffic.  Leaving it alone I usually get an auto reconnect a few minute later - this is when I am static.

  • by Coppertiger,

    Coppertiger Coppertiger Mar 28, 2012 9:59 AM in response to Coppertiger
    Level 2 (490 points)
    Mar 28, 2012 9:59 AM in response to Coppertiger

    P.S.  Also worth noting that we are on the end of a very large solar activity that although did not affect people on the global scale anticipated, there might however be isolated cases of remnant ion disturbances propogating across the global antenna networks.  It is not an exact science as yet, but everything ought to be considered.  Hope you resolve your problems and find a solution.  Best wishes.

  • by Coppertiger,

    Coppertiger Coppertiger Mar 28, 2012 10:10 AM in response to David M Thompson
    Level 2 (490 points)
    Mar 28, 2012 10:10 AM in response to David M Thompson

    One last thought - back from my younger days doing human Biology - the wrist and hands are the most densely populated areas of the body for nerve endings.  The synapsis across the nerves produce tiny pulses every time they fire.  It is not too inconceivable that the rapid firing of synapsis, each producing a mini EMP, could collectively produce a small electric field in the microwave region.  This might help to explain why generally people experience the _grip of death_ phenomenon on the 2.4 band but not the higher bluetooth 5ghz band.

     

    Would be interesting to see some research done in this area and the strength of the fields produced at various levels of activity.

  • by David M Thompson,

    David M Thompson David M Thompson Mar 28, 2012 2:03 PM in response to Coppertiger
    Level 1 (55 points)
    Mar 28, 2012 2:03 PM in response to Coppertiger

    Thanks for the suggestions, but the issue is not related to signal strength or dropouts, I'm 100% certain of that - I suspect that there is some issue with the authentication process when it attempts to activate the cellular data link after having switched onto WiFi or similar and is temporarily resolved when power cycling the device and forcing re-authentication.

     

    My only other thought on the issue is this is the first time I have had two iPads active on the same network with the same e-mail address entered into the Cellular Data setup - I assumed it identifies the iPad through the phone number or SIM card for authentication, but perhaps it does use the e-mail address, and as this is none unique, it may be causing an issue?

     

    I'm going to try to pick up another card and use a different e-mail address for registration and see if that makes a difference - failing that, I suppose it's wait until iOS 5.1.1 for the fix