Q: The new iPad has unstable 3G connection

ZZZ Moon Man wrote:

 

My apologies, I keep forgetting.

 

In that case, do you still have the "on/off" switch for 3G like there is on the iPhone? And does a toggle of that switch help at all reconnecting to a functional data connection?

No we don't have that, but after weeks of frustration, Anton's SIM PIN fix worked for me!

Back in Singapore with Singtel Telco, I tried the SIM PIN fix and it seemed to work! I have not thoroughly tested it out but I have not gotten a dropped Internet connection switching from Wi-Fi to 3G or vice-versa for some 14 hrs or so. I cannot explain technically why this is so but the fix works. For those in Singapore using Singtel, the default SIM PIN code is 1234.

I'll be testing more thoroughly over the next few days and see how it works out so thanks to those who found this solution.

Hi Guys,

There may be a problem on an earlier version of the New iPad. It has been reported by another user that his friend has purchased a new iPad and his/her serial number starts with DLXF and apparently there is no 3g problem!

I like many others have this 3g problem and mine starts with DLXH

Please reply with which ipad you have along with the first part of your serial number and if you are experincing this problem or not.

Hopefully were getting closer to an answer!

On my second iPad and I have DLXH.

you may be on to something!

Both mine and my friends with the problem have DLXH iPads - but that could be a huge scope of devices so I'm not sold on that theory.  What I am sure of is that this is not a carrier issue - at least not for most of us.  None of my other 3G device suffer this problem and we have no LTE in this country anway.

Agreed - as it does not appear to be carrier nor country specific.

I posted the following in a discussion thread that is running parallel to this one.

"We have this issue with two U.S. purchased AT&T 64GB iPads with serial numbers that start with DMPH and

DMQH. Have employed all suggested fixes within this string and have not been able to resolve the issue as of yet. Have opted to replace one of the units with a Verizon unit which is due to arrive on April 20th. Pending the outcome of the swap, we will determine the best course of action for the second device." Posted on the "The new iPad constantly losing cellular data connection"

It would appear in the discussion threads thus far that there is no permanent work around at this point. Looking forward to either a software update or communication from Apple in terms of how to either directly or proactively address this issue.

Like many I have owned all 3 generations and this "Data Connection" challenge is a first for me. Would love to get around this hicup so I can use my device to it's fullest.

As promised, a quick follow-up on the steps followed by Jorous.

The reset scenario seems to solve issues when transferring from Wifi to LTE for me, i can continue to navigate in Safari when I close my Wifi from home. Rogers LTE  appears immediately. Before the reset, 3G was likely to appear first, from my living room...

Another variation of this scenario might be the fact that when I installed my new iPad, it was a restore of my former iPad 2. Thus we can easily imagine the the inherited network settings might be slightly different.

When anyone tries to diagnose a problem in a thread, many "flavors" of the problem can appear, like here we would have some people with "new" new iPad and others, like my case, with "migrated" new iPad.

This discussion was very helpful, indeed, thanks to everybody... I will walk away of this thread for now and unsubscribe.

First of all - test it outside your home. My experience shows that when I am at home and switch off wifi, the 3G connection works perfect. The problem starts when I leave my home and iPad connects to the new cell, than connection with Internet is lost, despite 3G icon and strong signal.

I am testing now different possibility. On some polish forum I found information that iPads working in one of four polish carriers (it is called Play) do not have this issue. Other three carriers T-Mobile, Orange and Plus - people with iPads on those carriers have this issue. I have it with carrier Plus. So today I bought Play sim card and testing. I will let you know about  the result.

Just to add my bit.

I originally bought my iPad (new 3rd gen version with WiFi and 4G/3G) with a micro-SIM from Three. Could not get it to work, eventually returned Three SIM assuming that was the problem. Got a new SIM from Orange, still could not get it to work reliably. Contacted Apple support and after a bit of messing around, and the need to purchase a £69 Apple Care package I didn't really want, they replaced the iPad, although I lost my personalisation in the process. Unfortunately the new one doesn't work properly either. I have also tried the SIM from my iPhone 4S, which is from O2, still doesn't work.

Conclusion is that after trying three different networks SIMs, two different iPads, this is a hardware fault with the new iPad, that may affect them all.

I have exactly the same issue on iPad 3 WiFI + 4G (Switzerland).

When i get out of my home, Switching from WiFI to 3G, no more connectivity even iPad displays good 3G connectivity; Safari or others Apps have no connectivity at all.

Apple Support tells me to re-install my iPad as a new device, i do not did it until now and i do not think doing so will fix this issue.

People buy such devices for using them on the go!  Minimal requirement is that 3G + WiFi, and switching from/to works smoothly.

Hope that Apple will recognize the problem and provide an update or hardware exchange.

Very frustrating...

I'm using singtel network, but seems the sim pin trick does not work on mine... ;(

I am from Singapore using M1. I suffer same issue in the beginning, try the sim pin trick but did not work (try off wifi but still suffer no connection with 3g symbol).  However recently I no longer suffer the problem (about 4 days already).  Did not change iPad or anything specific other than off and on my iPad during the night.

I'm from Russia, using new iPad 32gb  3/4g+ Wifi.  My serial number starts with DLXH and I also have this huge problem!! This issue ruins all the idea of tablet and makes iPad so horrible device to work with. Btw, my carrier is Megafon. None of ways of resolving problem worked( SIM PIN, network reset, etc). In Russia many people have same problems. Our forums are full of negative speeches about 3G issue.

Apple, make something or New iPad will be the last device with apple image on the box for many users like me.

Hi. I've tried the sim pin fix, but does not seem to work. Network reset, wireless reset, even sim changed with Singtel. Can you detail out how you solved yours?

Here in Costa Rica I tried the three carriers Movistar, Claro and ICE and any of them worked over 3G.

I tried the Fix of the SIM PIN and nothing happens.

As usual Apple is lasting a lot to respond why this is happening.

Complete disappointment with Apple.