Straight Talk SIM and iPad Mini 6
Is anyone out there using a Straight Talk SIM in their iPad Mini 6?
I've been happily using SIMs from Straight Talk wireless in my iPhones and iPads for many years. The cellular service has been great (though IME their customer service and support is often awful), they use AT&Ts network so coverage and performance have always been good for me (and they're way cheaper than AT&T). All has been good until recently. I've been using an old iPad Mini with an old Straight Talk SIM for a long time. I started receiving dire warnings via email from Straight Talk that my "phone" does not support the new "VoLTE" protocol that was being rolled out along with 5G service. The warnings said my "phone" would stop working as of February and I should get a new VoLTE phone (they conveniently offered to sell me one).
I figure my old iPad Mini was ancient, and I was looking at upgrading anyway, so I bought an iPad Mini 6 (which I like generally -- I see no jelly or other issues). I put my old SIM in the new Mini 6, but it would not activate. I called Straight Talk, they told me the iPad was incompatible with the SIM. The support agent seemed completely clueless (not the first time I've thought that with Straight Talk). I figured, OK, old SIM, new iPad, new cellular protocols, time to get a new SIM. I purchased a new Straight Talk, AT&T-compatible data SIM from them (for 25 cents), installed it and...still no cellular service. Called and spoke to another support agent, same story: it won't work, it can't work. They say the iPad Mini 6 is not compatible with "VoLTE" technology which is now required for cellular service, and I should buy a new phone that is (eye-roll).
They will refund my 25 cent purchase and cancel my data plan. Before I tell them to do that, I was wondering...are they actually right, or is there some other explanation?
I can't be the first person to try a Straight Talk SIM in an iPad Mini 6. Can anyone offer guidance on how best to proceed? Thanks.