iphone 13 "could not activate cellular data network"

Upgraded 3 older iPhones (different models) to iPhone 13s. On all 3, phone calls and text messages worked but data did not work unless connected to Wifi. Tried all other internet suggestions but what finally worked was to get new SIM cards from cellular provider (AT&T).

Details:

cellular data (e.g. emails and internet) won't work unless connected to Wifi and you receive can't connect to "cellular data network" error. Other hint is that if you goto Settings - Cellular - Cellular Data Options, you should see 5G (when it didn't work, I saw only LTE and 4G). Phones were ordered from provider (AT&T) and came with new SIM cards and all phones and SIM cards were properly matched with phone numbers. All 3 worked except for cellular data.

Tried but did not help:

turning on/off airplane mode, cellular data roaming, powering on/off phone, removing/replacing sim card, upgraded IOS, checked for carrier updates, resetting network options, full reset of phone.

What worked: received 3 new SIM cards from AT&T store. Those worked immediately. Very quick.

did not try: receiving replacement sim card from Apple. but at least one iphone 12 user reported same problem and replacement card from apple did not help them.