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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 17, 2012 8:36 AM in response to crosby87a

I live in Columbus, Ohio as well....I am sorry you had that much running around from apple, but you made my decision...I am waiting this out and not swapping out my IPAD just yet.

Newest IPAD 64GB AT&T / LE

I have never seen the 3G symbol. It is 4G or bust. I did do the turn off LTE toggle in settings and it instantly connected me with the 4G symbol. Now I have to drive around town and see if I lose a connection.


My suggestion to everyone in the United States is too NOT replace the IPAD....wait for an update and go from there. Any IPAD switched out right now will still be the 1st batch.....


Good Luck to All. Love Apple and The IPAD, but this is frustrating.


BTW Apple Care Tech Support claim they have never heard the problem...I call BS!

Apr 17, 2012 9:58 AM in response to jason211

Just adding one more voice to this thread. I am also in Ohio on AT&T.


I have done absulutely everything discussed in this thread: regular device restore, new sim card from AT&T, got new iPad replacement from Apple, set up as NEW device (did not restore from old iPad 1 backup), turned off LTE (which helps but you should not have to do this). I've been to Apple twice, talked to AT&T 4 times, they both blame the other.


There is only one thing I have not tried: a DFU restore. Had anyone out there tried this? I have not only because I don't want to set up my device as "new" again with all of the configuring that has to be done afterward.


The DFU restore supposedly restores the firmware and the software on the iPad. Just wondering if anyone has tried this before I do?


1. Close iTunes.

2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and then launch iTunes.

3. Turn your iPhone off (hold down the power button at the top of the iPhone).

4. Then, hold down the sleep/wake button and home button together for EXACTLY 10 SECONDS, then release the sleep/wake button.

5. Continue to hold down the Home button until a message appears in iTunes telling you an iPhone in recover mode has been detected. When you are in DFU mode your iPhone screen will be completely black. Remember that if you see the restore logo, iTunes logo, or any message on the iPhone screen, you are not in DFU mode but standard Recovery Mode.

6. Hit the OK message that should popup to restore your phone.

Apr 18, 2012 5:28 AM in response to Plutten

Actually I've managed to have my iPad 3 working all day with cellular data and wifi, but not at the same time.

I don't know if I've just been lucky or if it'll continue to work, I can keep you posted about this.


BTW: I (still) live in Denmark with no 4G, and have a DLXH serial.


But what I've done is a combination of ideas earlier mentioned:


1: I disabled the SIM pin code

2: I disabled Wifi

3: I disabled cellular data

4: Shut down the iPad

5: Turned on the iPad

6: Enabled cellular data


It's been working all day. I've been switching between cellular data and wifi to test it out. When I do I do it like this:


7: Disable cellular data

8: Wait for around 10 seconds

9: Enable Wifi


When I change from wifi to cellular I do the same but of course in reverse order:


10: Disable wifi

11: Wait for around 10 seconds

12: Enable cellular data


If this "fix" is really a fix, it seems like what it solves is really a software issue with the implementation of iOS 5.1 on the new iPad (perhaps something in regard to the management of the new 4G hardware), Apple should be able to fix that with the next update.


As mentioned I'll keep you posted, but so far it's bee a joyful iPad day! :-)


_henrik

Apr 18, 2012 8:12 AM in response to scholarwilliams

Ok, I finally got to the bottom of what is going on!


When you switch on the iPad and it first negotiates with a cell, it looks for anything faster than 3G and tests to see if there is data, if not it tries 3G and so on until it gets the best possible data connection. However when it connects to a cell after the 1st initialisation, for example when you switch to a new cell, it doesn’t go through this longer negotiation procedure, it just assumes that if there is equipment in the cell for anything faster than 3G it can connect to it.


Some cellular providers are preparing their cells for 4G (or more accurately faster than 3G) but it’s not fully enabled yet. This is confusing the iPad and causing it to lose the data connection. Apple said to me that they are in contact with the cellular providers, their argument is that this is a cell problem and that as more and more 4G capable devices are released there’ll be others with the same problem. However, according to their higher-level tech guys, they are working to see if they can provide a software solution as well.


In the meantime, the only kinda crappy work-around that will actually work is to stop your iPad roaming to a new cell. If you turn off cellular data whilst you move location and then turn it on again, you’ll avoid cell switching and your iPad won’t lock up. This certainly works, unless of course you are somewhere that your iPad hunts between cells even when you are static or if you want to use it whilst moving my car or train. Oh, and if you don’t remember to turn off cellular data before you move to a new location; any of those and you’re stuck with turning off and on again


I do sympathise with Apple a bit, they are leading the way with this technology whilst the other firms learn off their problems. It’s easy to sit back and say “we don’t have a 4G issue” when you don’t actually support 4G at all!


At least Apple are now aware of the issue and are working hard to release some kind of fix. I guess we either wait for it or get a refund. Simples…

The new iPad constantly losing cellular data connnection

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