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New iPad - 4G Frequencies 700mhz and 2100mhz useless in Europe?

Having read a couple articles since the New iPad was annonced last night, I don't understand how the new iPad is supposed to be 4G compatible in Europe considering the 4G networks assigned are 800mhz and 2600mhz?


Either the specification pages on the European apple websites are not updated for a 'euro' spec iPad, or apple has clearly not made the new iPad 4G capable outside the US frequencies...meaning that Europeans will be left with only HSPA+/3G...



Also, I wanted to know, when purchasing a new iPad in the US for use in Europe, is there any difference between the Verizon and AT&T models (I recall having read the verizon only has 700mhz frequencies)?



Thanks in advance

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 3:15 AM

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Posted on Mar 8, 2012 3:21 AM

For now they have only announced 4g for USA and Canada. and yes the Verizon is 700 mhz 4g while the at&t is 700 and 2100 mhz.

29 replies

Mar 8, 2012 3:34 AM in response to Romano81

yes, even on the Italian website they are advertising the new Ipad as being 4G compatible around the world, but the issue of different frequencies is not even mentioned!


it would be important to have some official information from Apple regarding this...I'm scared they are trying to use the excuse that HSPA+ = 4G since many countries still don't have a 4G network....

Mar 8, 2012 3:48 AM in response to turbodelta

You are seeing the problems that come up almost every time there is a new communication protocol used in draft and initial form. Sprint has been advertising a 4G network for a couple years, even though the protocol was in VERY draft form and there actually was no true 4G network. We saw this with teh IEEE 802.11n amendment to the wireless protocol, used in draft for two years by companies, with a lot of equipment released that was not compliant with the final protocol...and that stuff is still in use and causing big problems for many users.


While 4G is being advertised, just saying 4G doesn't tell the whole story. One needs to understand how that protocol is being applied by consumer hardware and the carrier. Are they in reality matching up as they should. It is not deception but application of a protocol that has options in it that can be picked and chosen for an individual application.

Mar 8, 2012 4:03 AM in response to turbodelta

The new iPad can use 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks.
This means that the new iPad will use whatever network signal is available up to and including 4G networks.

Check out the specs here: http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/


You can therefore even use your iPad on GSM or EDGE networks, but that Internet connection is frustratingly slow. From personal experience I suggest that you use your iPad in an area where at least a 3G network signal is available for comfortable Internet surfing.

Mar 8, 2012 4:06 AM in response to lvmedic3214

Buyer beware!


Unfortunate part of advertising is that the consumer isn't going to (average consumer that is) look at the specs of the hardware, specs of the service offered, and determine that they are actually what is claimed. That is why we have standards and protocols, but still suppliers can and do cheat.


I have Verizon which is great on the East Coast of the US, visit places in the Midwest and find signal-dead spots. So the consumer has to evaluate where they will spend the majority of their time and figure out which supplier best serves them.


And it hs annoyed me for years that my chosen carrier does not support the standard in use in Europe, and I get hit with roaming charges there, but what can you do? Can't change carriers very easily every time you go somewhere.


Anyway, just some random thoughts.

Mar 8, 2012 4:12 AM in response to Apfelwurm

yes you can use anything up to 4G...but when the actual product is not compatible with 4G network frequencies outside of the US (the same goes for the iPads sold outside the US), they should be advertised as such, mentioning that the new iPad's 4G LTE network is only compatible with US frequencies...


Apple knew that the European Union was going to use 800mhz and 2600mhz, it's not something that was decided weeks ago, but years ago...so I don't know what their plan is...

New iPad - 4G Frequencies 700mhz and 2100mhz useless in Europe?

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