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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

Reply
606 replies

Apr 4, 2012 2:37 AM in response to scholarwilliams

Yes, all European models are without LTE, no option for that. I have seen one post at least where a user had this problem and it was fixed by Apple swapping his iPad - and he was very pleased with the service he got. My new one arrives tomorrow, I'll let you know if I'm lucky and it fixes my problem too. It could be that there are a large batch of units with deffective Globalcomm chips out there and you are just unlucky if you got one (even unluckier if you got one twice!).


I hope that's the case and Apple will quietly swap the defective ones to new ones that they know are from a good batch. Certainly there was no hassle over swapping mine despite the fact that I did have it personalised. I'll post back if the new one works!

Apr 4, 2012 3:01 AM in response to daniregg

SIM substitution - I am sure this is not SIM card issue or carrier issue. Ipad substitution or Software update - both are possible. For me 50/50 possibility it is hardware or software issue. I am sure Apple now knows about it, but as usually they will fix it quietly in next iOS update (if it is software) or do nothing (if this is hardware).

Apr 4, 2012 4:54 AM in response to Burkow

i did tons of testing i hope people can look at the following thread.


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3822207?answerId=18035088022#18035088022


my question does anybody have 3g working outside the USA with an non att/verizon sim? i posted a thread nobody replied:(


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3851403


i have 2 options wait for a software fix or send ipad back and get a new att or verizon ipad

Apr 4, 2012 4:10 PM in response to scholarwilliams

Well, my brand new iPad arrived - I put in the sim, hopefully, but within 40 mins cellular data stopped working again. I didn't even bother doing a data restore, I just left the iPad as it was directly out of the box (after activation). So this either needs a software fix, or there is a serious hardware problem which will rival antennagate 😢. I really hope there is a software fix!

Apr 4, 2012 4:17 PM in response to scholarwilliams

Someone mentioned that the iPad 1 had this issue. Anyone heard of that? If so it's even more troubling b/c in my mind that would indicate a hardware issue. A software issue would likely be resolved and not recur or at least no recur without being caught in beta testing.


Second, When I returned my New iPads March 30th the entry level person at the Apple store seemed to have no idea whatsoever about this issue. However, when she mentioned it to the manager he seemed to have heard of the issue and said something like "just write the reason down on the return". I was 1 day past teh 14 day period but I got the sense that they were already aware of this issue.


Just an FYI.

Apr 4, 2012 7:36 PM in response to Miles Cortez

Hi everyone. I'm posting an update. Strangely enough my white iPad 32GB (3rd gen) wifi + 4G (bought at Apple Canada) cellular connection seem to be working more consistently now. I honestly don't think I did anything special or different from everyone else (toggle cellular on/off, reboot, reset network settings) but seem to be working now for the past 3 days. Signal still always show 1-2 bars on LTE only and 3G at full bars seem a bit slow but it is working at least.


I did manually entered in the LTE APN setting in the settings/cellular/APN section but I've done this before too and didn't work before. Strange it just seem to started working one day on its own?


Somethings for others to try that I might have done:

- erase all network settings

- reboot

- disable wifi and toggle off "ask to join networks"

- manually enter in the LTE APN setting of your carrier's in APN settings

- reboot



Try those steps in order and see if it works for you.

Again I don't really know why mine just started working but I'll keep monitoring it in case it stops as I'm not fully convinced yet I'm bug free.

Apr 5, 2012 1:56 AM in response to fsousa

Check this out:



http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/05/new-ipad-wifi-issues/


http://9to5mac.com/2012/04/04/apple-investigating-new-ipad-wifi-issues-tells-app lecare-to-replace-affected-un



"The issues appear to affect the WiFi-only model of Apple's latest hardware, with SIM-connected variants apparently safe due to the black antenna panel"


Our issue still is no public!

The new iPad constantly losing cellular data connnection

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