Cellular stops working when activating iPad.

Hi Everyone,

I have an iPad Pro 2 cellular running iOS 17.1 that has always worked just fine, but recently cellular stopped working. I'm not sure whether this has any connection to iPadOS 17 or not.

In settings, my only option is to sign up for an eSIM plan, as if there is no physical SIM in the iPad.

Having cleaned the SIM, tested it in another device and then performed a network reset on the iPad, I moved to a backup and full reset.

When the iPad restarts, it shows a working LTE cellular connection, using the installed physical SIM.

As I work my way through the screens towards restoring the iPad [Language, Country or Region, Appearance, Quick Start, Choose Wi-Fi] when I get to the 'Activating' screen, cellular disappears and never comes back, with the next screen asking to 'Set up Cellular Service', as if the iPad has no physical SIM.

I have tried skipping Wi-Fi to remain on the cellular connection but, as the same moment, cellular fails.

The iPad works fine in every other respect.

If I place the SIM in another iPad (earlier original Pro, also running 17.1), cellular works.

Has anyone seen this on another device? Even better, do you have a fix?

Thanks.