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The new iPad constantly losing cellular data connnection

My new iPad (3rd gen), 4G (AT&T) cannot seem to maintain a cellular data connection. The AT&T signal meter is still there (and shows 3 bars), but the "4G" disappears, and I get a "could not activate the cellular data network" error. I know it's not my location because it happens both at work and at home, and because my iPhone 4S and 1st gen iPad don't have the problem. I have already toggled cellular data on and off, restarted the iPad, reset network settings, and restarted again. No luck. Each time I restart, the connection works for about 30 seconds, and I can check my email, but then it immediately goes out again. Has anyone else had this problem?

iPad, iOS 5.1

Posted on Mar 19, 2012 1:50 PM

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606 replies

Apr 12, 2012 3:11 PM in response to scholarwilliams

Same problem here. In US on AT&T. When LTE switch is on, connection drops and will not initiate a data handshake even though there is full signal. In a car as a passenger on a 4 hour drive it happened even more often so I initially thought it was having a hard time switching towers. Turning off the LTE switch solved the problem 100% of the time. Sorry to the rest of the world that does not have the LTE switch to turn off.

Apple: Since there are lots of people that have duplicated this problem after exchanges, you may want to jump on here and let us know if you think it's hardware or software/firmware (which I am guessing since the LTE switch technique works). We know repeated and unnecessary exchanges are expensive for you.

Apr 12, 2012 5:59 PM in response to scholarwilliams

I'm living in Singapore and totally agree that this is a worldwide issue. Two of my colleagues and myself have been experiencing this problem since the day we purchased our new iPads, which was almost one month ago. We have done all the possible fixes provided by either telco tech support or by solutions given by different forums, but none of the solutions worked. Such as changing a new SIM card, switch off WiFi before you go 3G, etc... I strongly believe this is a hardware/firmware issue related to the new iPad.


Really hope that Apple will resolve this problem fast. I'm really getting more and more impatient with my iPad with the constant connectivity drop and resetting of the device.

Apr 13, 2012 5:51 AM in response to Skip Dodson

This is not just for you but for everyone.


DO NOT RESTORE FROM A BACKUP OF A DIFFERENT MODEL IPAD.


Sorry for shouting. Apple has never gotten this process to work right and it has caused countless issues!!


Set up the ipad as new and resync. Yes you will loose you app data but you will not have these wierd issues with your iPad.


Blame Apple for having no process that backs up app data.


Also, I am not suggesting that this is also the cause of the LTE issue.

Apr 13, 2012 6:08 AM in response to AnAppleUserGermany

Just to say I'm going to cancel my Apple Store appointment to have my iPad replaced tomorrow. I still have the issue intermittently but I don't really want to spend my Saturday in an Apple Store trying to explain an intermittent issue to a stressed Genius, only to get a device that likely has the same problem. Will probably go in next week after work if it continues, though.


But I think this is a software update issue in all likelihood. Could be wrong...

Apr 13, 2012 7:35 AM in response to scholarwilliams

Thought I'd post a quick update for my specific situation. I was one of the many in the states for whom turning off the LTE switch resolved the loss of cellular signal problem. This past week, AT&T launched LTE in my area (St. Louis region). Obviously, I wanted to take advantage of this so I turned the LTE switch back on. Interestingly, I have not had the loss of cellular connectivity issue reappear since I did. I have moved from WiFi to LTE to HSPA+ (or 4G, as AT&T calls it) and back without losing a signal. The LTE signal is relatively weak, likely because I'm on the fringes of the coverage area, but everything works (and the LTE speed increase is noticeable even with only one bar). So I'm not going so far as to say the issue is resolved, because it obviously isn't, but things have been good this week.


I empathize with the folks outside the US. Obviously none of this helps you, though I can't help but think the root cause of all of this applies globally. I will add one note as regards my experience restoring backups from older device models. I have never had an issue restoring from a backup from an older Apple device to a newer one. Has always performed flawlessly for me.

Apr 13, 2012 9:52 AM in response to BigDaddyQB

BigDaddyOB - That is interesting, thanks for posting. I have not had my wife turn on LTE in over a week because frankly I don't think she would even notice a difference! Is it possible apple updated the carrier files remotely without our knowledge? I will experiment this weekend. I am watching this thread closely because I am 10 days into ownership and my clock is ticking to return it.


Side note to non-US people, does turning airplane mode on and off reset your connection? That is what worked for me when I could not reconnect but I keep seeing people say they needed to reboot.

The new iPad constantly losing cellular data connnection

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