Q: The new iPad constantly losing cellular data connnection

Just for clarification: Could you be so kind and post the first four letters of your serial number?

I had an iPad starting with DLXH which caused plenty of trouble. I exchanged it with a new one with DYTH (production week 14) and this one had only one loss of connection within a week (fingers crossed). You can decode your serial number here: http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

My conclusion is that exchange MIGHT help.

@Jamesultrablue

That's interesting, thanks for the info. Can I ask what cellular provider you used and what country you're in?

I'd be a little cautious about thinking it's fixed, I thought I'd fixed it once with the sim/pin trick as it lasted three days before it locked up! However, now I've worked out what causes the lockup (for me anyway), I can reproduce the fault every time just by driving to a cell near me that triggers it.

I might try another restore just in case, but you'd think Apple would push out a major fix like this with a version change.

Ahhh, this is the list. Unfortunately, I think it's just a list of the changes between 5.0 and 5.1 - i.e. you already had them...

iOS 5.1

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:

Dear all,

I performed the restore last night and running on 3 successfully in central London at the moment having travelled in on the tube, no surprise that 3 is working though.

I am going to try Vodafone tomorrow to compare and will update.

I have also emailed the UK PR office and Tim Cook on this matter this morning

They want to talk and asked the serial number of my device. Let's see where the conversation goes.

I just went to Sapura@Funan and the minute I said I had 3G problems, they immediately acknowledged it is a hardware problem with the first batch of iPads and that they would replace it for me in 3 working days. I will get my iPad back on Monday.

My recommendation to all Singapore iPad users is to IMMEDIATELY go to one of the four outlets I provided and get it replaced ASAP.

I shall keep you guys informed when I get my iPad back.

It has been 8 hours since I did the restore on my Ipad, and everything seems to be working fabulously for now;  I've dropped 3G to switch to wifi, and then dropped wifi to pick 3G up and repeat this intermittently over this 8-hour period, and so far the irritating "could not activate cellular network" message has not reappeared, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the restore has served its purpose and brought sanity back.  The real test, of course, will be over the next 24-72 hours and I'll keep you guys posted on whether the problem crops up again.

@kug_gr:  I can confirm that my Ipad serial starts with DLXH.

@FazerWiz:  I'm based in Singapore and using M1 carrier.  Yup, that's the list that I saw when I did the restore.  The cynical side of me can't help but wonder whether the fix for the cellular network has been secretly put into the current restore, although the IOS version remains the same. ;-) 

@Kidon0:  Thanks for the update.  It appears that whether it's a hardware / software issue depends on who you talk to.  I've talked to 3 customer service officers today, and two advised me to perform the restore (one is the Apple Hotline guy and the other is from QCD@Tagore); the only one that said it's a hardware issue was from eServ@Wheelock.  Now that my Ipad appears to be working fine, not sure if they would exchange for me, so will monitor over the next few days to see whether the restore has indeed successfully resolved the problem.  If it does not, then definitely will go for an exchange. 

I am being cautiously optimistic for now.

Whatever it is software or hardware the biggest problem here is that there is no acknowledge from Apple. Nor a software update, an official statement, a tweet. Nothing.

I guess they are struggling to find a way via software to avoid a massive recal of first batch of iPads. Thanks @Kidon0 for the update. I will try to pass by Sapura tomorrow.

I share your frustration, and would tend to view Apple's muted response in an unfavorable light.  Hope you and Kidon0 can share here after you receive the replacement sets as to whether the problem is resolved.

For those who are keen (and for Apple's tech people if they bother to drop by this thread), my Ipad's info is as below (using Kug_gr's link):-

Serial number: DLXHXXXX (REDACTED)

Name: iPad 3

Group1: iPad

Group2: WiFi-4G

Generation: 3

Machine Model: iPad3,2

Model introduced: 2012

Production year: 2012

Production week: 12 (March)

introduced test: GOED

CPU speed: 1.0GHz

Family name: A1430

Screen size: 9 inch

Screen resolution: 2048x1536 pixels

Colour: Black

Capacity: 32GB

Factory: DL (China - Foxconn)

Just a thought - I already bought and put on the screen protector on my Ipad.  If I go for a replacement, would Apple reimburse my cost for the screen protector?  If there is no reimbursement, I would need to get another protector for the new set, which means forking out another sum.  What a downer. 

They will not reimburse you for the screen protector. I never use screen protectors so it doesn't affect me.

Well, I did the restore, put my T-Mobile sim back, put the iPad on standby, came back to it a couple of hours later - full 3G signal but no data in any application - DOH!

So basically, a restore doesn't make any difference. I put my PAYG "Three" sim back in and have no doubt it'll continue to work flawlessly now just as it has been for the last few weeks. Just have to wait until Apple fix it before I can go back to my contract sim I guess.

Thanks, that's what I thought too.  One reader YongHwa earlier posted about his nasty experience trying to replace his set with Singtel.  I also read on another thread that those who signed up with Singapore telcos (especially those with Singtel) are having a hard time getting their Ipads replaced.  It does raise my hackle to read about such bullying tactics coming from these supposedly established companies.  In a way, I'm glad I got mine from the retail store and not from said telcos. 

Thanks for the update on your restore.  I'm going to bed now, and if tomorrow I encounter any difficulty with the 3G, I'm heading straight for an exchange. 

I got mine from Apple.com. When I have a problem, I call Apple and unleash the gangster in me.

Ha ha....perhaps I can enlist your help if I encounter any difficulties in doing an exchange later on?   

Unfortunately, I belong to the genial type and doesn't have any gangster in me.