US. Can someone confirm whether or not I am able to use a local sim card to power the 4G? Will it work with both AT

You want the AT&T model iPad. This one has a mini-sim card slot it uses GSM protocol.

The Verizon model works with some other fairly uncommon wireless protocol, CDMA technology & does not have a sim card.

http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-faq/36673-us-ipad.html#post257113

Here are the converage maps:

For GSM: http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html

( Most people recommend GSM for the widest world wide coverage. )

For CDMA: http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp

( The coverage map is optimisctic. One company with one cell tower means that the country has coverage. )

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iPad 1 -- connected to AT&T & required a sim card for 3g

iPad 2 sold in the USA has two models that connect over cell phone network ( 3g )

-- AT&T which requires a sim card. This one has a mini-sim cardslot and uses GSM protocol.

-- Verizon which does not need a sim card. The Verizon model works with CDMA technology & does not have a sim card.

iPad 3 sold in the USA has two models that connect over a cellular phone network

-- AT&T which requires a sim card. This one has a mini-sim cardslot and uses GSM protocol.

-- Verizon which does not need a sim card. The Verizon model works with CDMA technology & does not have a sim card.

Once you buy an iPad you cannot add cellular network support nor switch between AT&T and Verizon networks. When you buy the AT&T model of iPad, you are buying an iPad that uses a sim card. You do not have to use AT&T as your cellular network.

Most other contries sell iPads that require a sim card.

Robert

BOTH models of the new iPad are fully international, and do indeed come with SIM cards. The Verizon model is effectively locked to Verizon CDMA while in the USA, but overseas, it can roam on GSM networks (using the included Verizon SIM) or you can use a local SIM card. It acts just like Verizon's dual-mode world phones in that regard - has BOTH a CDMA radio and a GSM radio.

In other words, in terms of GSM use outside of the USA, BOTH models (AT&T and Verizon) of the new iPad are identical - both come with a SIM from their respective native service provider, but the international "side" of them is not locked to that SIM.

In fact, there are already reports on various tech news and blog sites of people using the Verizon model in the USA on AT&T's network - pop out the Verizon SIM and get a prepaid AT&T SIM and off they go, so you can completely circumvent the CDMA radio in the Verizon model.

Thanks for the clarification.

Robert

According to this, is there any advantages of buying AT&T vs Vodafone if I am going to use the Ipad overseas with a local SIM card?

Thanks!

There is no Vodaphone iPad sold in the US. If you meant Verizon, if you never plan to use the iPad in the US, buy the AT&T version, since you probably could not get service for the Verizon model outside of the US.

Firstly if you want an unlocked iPad you will not get one in the US (tied to either AT&T or Verizon) you will need to buy this in the EU. This will then allow you to use any micro sim card from any country, in the US this will only be a GSM / 3g / HSDPA (Apple US likes to call this 4G not true 4G) network, you will not connect to the Verizon as this uses CDMA

Springbk wrote:

Firstly if you want an unlocked iPad you will not get one in the US (tied to either AT&T or Verizon) you will need to buy this in the EU. This will then allow you to use any micro sim card from any country, in the US this will only be a GSM / 3g / HSDPA (Apple US likes to call this 4G not true 4G) network, you will not connect to the Verizon as this uses CDMA

Not true - in terms of international use, both models are completely unlocked to any GSM carrier and both models are identical in terms of their ability to be used internationally with GSM carriers.

The Verizon models CMDA radio is locked to Verizon USA, but its GSM international radio is exactly the same as that on the AT&T model.

A US iPad, wether the Verizon model or the AT&T model can be used with any international GSM service provider (the Verizon models CDMA radio will NOT work with any other CDMA carriers though).

Yes, I meant Verizon.

Thanks for your answer!

Having just returned from 3/4 weeks in the UK with my new IPad 3 (AT&T version) I can confirm that you can purchase and use a local SIM card immediately without any problem. I visited an Apple store (franchised version) and purchased a 1Gig. SIM card for the My3 network for 10 pounds ($16) for one month. Incidently this amount would only purchase 250Meg with AT&T in the US for a month. The card and IPad worked flawlessly when used as a satellite navigation device or a web browser.