The new iPad has unstable 3G connection

Thanks for the answer.

Of course, I tried sim-pin method. Looks like, that it helps, but I need couple days to test. After I apply new pin, 3g icon appeared.

Sadly the sim trick do not also work for me...

My carrier is Singtel in Singapore

OK, it's best I post the full text so you can make sure you're following the method correctly. Somone posted this on http://www.theregister.co.uk

Those of you who are more technical than me might be able to comment further?

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It's probably the same problem as on the 4S. There is an authentication problem between the sim and the chipset. After multiple failed attempts 3G turns off. This is noticed when using WiFi at home and then not being able to receive any iMessages when out and about. Then of course not being able to use Safari confirms the issue.

The way to fix is to set any PIN on the SIM and then turn the PIN off again, this can be done in Settings. The default PIN on AT&T is 1111 not sure if UK networks supply a default PIN. This resetting of the PIN appears to correct the authentication problem and 3G works continuously afterwards.

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Anton.

Just to clarify that I have no problems switching from wifi to 3g nd vice versa if for short period of time only.

The problem happens when the new ipad is connected on wifi for long period of time (for me around >2hrs) and if I do not use my ipad for long time ( means 3g is idle)

So, my theory is that the problem occurs when the 3G is not used for long period of time (either from wifi or on 3g perse).

So, There is no issue when Switching from wifi to 3g within short period of time.

Apple should investigate this asap

Etresoft:

"It's a hardware problem. The carriers are slammed by the impact of all these new devices. They just can't handle it. It will get better as they build up infrastructure."

I was going to comment on his post (and attitude) as well Torgen. I live in Sweden where we have so much network (wireless and otherwise) that we almost don't know what to do with it (not having Netflix and all). So I know for a fact it's not a carrier-being-overwhelmed problem.

As Anton_UK Posted:

> It's probably the same problem as on the 4S. There is an authentication problem between the sim and the chipset. After multiple failed attempts 3G turns off. This is noticed when using WiFi at home and then not being able to receive any iMessages when out and about. Then of course not being able to use Safari confirms the issue.

This isn't true for my case. I have the 4S and never had this problem at all. In fact, I use the 4S in parallel and never experienced this even though my phone was bought in the States and used in Sweden.

Annoying problem on the iPad to be sure, but I'm sure Apple will fix it..

I have the same problem with the 3rd Gen iPad too (model 4G LTE, 64GB) I noticed it the week after it was released and I had to travel to London. It would be ok, then the the train would go through a long tunnel and loose connection. After we emerged the signal would go back to full strength, the 3G indicator was on but none of the apps could connect. Safari would complain that I wasn't connected to the Internet. I also tried toggling flight mode; getting the iPad to rescan the mobile networks, etc. Only a power off/on would clear the problem, then it would be fine until the same thing happened again. I've captured all this using screenshots, so I can document it if required.

Back home it happens less because I have a more consistent signal, though is has happened a couple of times around an area I know is a 3G dead zone.

I trust Apple will get a fix out for this when they've researched the problem. It's the sort of thing that can be fixed in software.

Other than that, am loving my new iPad. The bump from my 1st gen iPad was so worth it :-)

Torqen wrote:

Etresoft: I was not asking you know, I was actually replying to someone else in this forum. Also I am a bit curious as to how you can answer so definite on matters that does not involve you when you. Apple has and still are watching these forums and deleting post they do not like.

I can definitively say that Apple does not remove posts just because "they don't like them". Apple will only remove posts when people report them for rude or abusive language or other serious violations of the Terms of Use. I have never seen or heard of Apple deleting a post because it says something bad about Apple itself. In fact, posts like that in big, incendiary threads are actually much less likely to be removed. The only substantiated complaint about Apple's moderation of these forums is that they don't delete enough posts.

Enjoy my time in the spotlight?? Are you high on something or are you just not getting it? The point is not to get famous or shine in the media for gods sake, it is to direct attention towards the problem and hopefully get some answers from Apple as to why and what.

Sorry, I wasn't specifically talking about you. I was making an indirect reference to the amount of time it takes a thread here on Apple Support Communities to get mentioned in a mainstream media site like CNN or something. That bar has fallen very low. Apple sells millions of new devices in a few days and a tiny, tiny fraction of those people are complaining about its performance under the most flaky wireless network ever known.

Really, and you know this how? Gut feeling? I was not talking about a carrier hardware problem, I was talking about the Ipads hardware and why are the carriers slammed by the impact of these devices? Do you live in a desert?

No. I live in a huge metropolis with 4G coverage that most Americans could only dream about. Even here, its just flaky. It has a new chipset communicating on a new protocol in an already over-subscribed network. It's just flaky.

There really isn't a problem here. It will get better in a year or so. Carriers are not going to build a network in anticipation of need. They are going to setup a demo network, oversell subscriptions, and use those profits to actually construct the network the promised last year. That is the way they have always done it and that is how they will continue to operate. It is great to have a shiny new device with the latest technology, but it isn't perfect. It will, however, be much better next year.

jillfromåkersberga wrote:

I live in Sweden where we have so much network (wireless and otherwise) that we almost don't know what to do with it (not having Netflix and all). So I know for a fact it's not a carrier-being-overwhelmed problem.

I've never been to Sweden so I don't know the specifics. All networking hardware shares some basic traits. Newer protocols designed and tested to work together will do so better than they will with older hardware and protocols made by many different manufacturers over the years. Even in Sweden, you certainly have less of the new 4G equipment. It's brand new after all. Your new iPad (and everyone else's) is going to try to connect to that new equipment first. If that fails, it will start falling back to older equipment, changing protocols and frequencies all the time.

Every time a new networking protocol (WiFi or cellular) comes out, it is the same story. The bleeding edge of technology is rough around the edges. Miraculously, it seems to get better on its own as carriers upgrade their equipment over time. By the time the next great technology comes out, people will be complaining about that and comparing it unfavorably to the tried-and-true 4G running on an old iPad3.

> It's brand new after all. Your new iPad (and everyone else's) is going to try to connect to that new equipment first.

I think you missed the point that the 4g part only works in limited countries like the US. We are still using "old" 3g technology etc. So it has nothing to do with any new LTE 4g services. Our 4g in Sweden works on different frequencies. So the difficulties some of us are experiencing have to do with existing 3g, hspa+, etc mobile wireless hardware which Sweden has had for a good long while. Nothing is new here (not even LTE which first started here in 2009).

Just lost connection again, this fix did not work out so well as I'd hoped for:(

I have the same issue of five bars and 3G showing but no connection available. I am in Canada and my service provider is Telus. They provide 4G service, called LTE here, and my solution to this problem is to turn the LTE off and back on and usually it resolves the issue.

My experience is that it will lose connectivity even though you're actively using 3G. At least this is what happened to me more than once.

I have the same problem, got my iPad from Ausralia and using it here in Egypt!!! I really don't know what to do especially that I can't even return it!

The issue s identified after using wifi the 3G does not connect anymore. The two are linked few tricks I found have worked 1 restart machine . 2 switch the 3 g off before entering wifi area when exiting switch on the 3G and it works fine every time. Apple just fix it it must be easy