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Antonylewis Author

Level 1

0 points

My iPad 3 says 3G but data stops working

I recently bought a new new iPad in Singapore and it does not work as I had hoped.

I take it to work and put it on my desk next to my iPhone. They both say at least 1 bar of reception, they both say 3G. Data works on both of them - web pages load fast, emails come, app store works. This is not WiFi, this is 3G cellular data.

I don't know the exact timings but an hour or so later, I turn the screen on on the iPad. Still says at least 1 bar, still says 3G. However no data works. No websites, no app store, no emails, I check my iPhone sitting next to it. Data still works on that.

To make the iPad have data again, I have to turn it off (slide to turn off) and turn it on again. Then data works for a bit.

I have to do this pretty much every time I have left my iPad for a while (30 mins plus?) and want to use it.

Singtel, the telecom provider have reset my line and also replaced the iPad's microsim card. They say that that is all they can do. However since there changes, the symptoms remain.

Apple have said that this is a telecoms problem, not an Apple problem.

I am a little disappointed and I hope this can be resolved.

iPad Wi-Fi + 4G, iOS 5.1

Posted on Mar 28, 2012 8:11 AM

Top-ranking reply

David M Thompson

Level 1

55 points

Posted on Mar 28, 2012 8:49 AM

Lots of similar threads on this one and your own experiences mirror mine exactly. I'm pretty sure there's a bug in the OS; report it as such and get it the attention it deserves.

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105 replies

Red Tees

Level 1

0 points

Mar 31, 2012 7:56 AM in response to Antonylewis

I am having the same issue with my New iPad, but not with my original iPad, running the Same Software. Doesn't this indicate it is not a software issue?

I am already on my second New iPad, as the first one stopped all together after Verizon tried to activate it. The tech could not get the LTE to activate, changed the SIM card three times, after which it would go to the opening screen and reboot time after time. Apple help desk told me to return it for another.

As I use this on the road way more than with wifi, I am hours away from returning this one. The screen is nice, but the 3/4G is unreliable.

lando55

Level 1

5 points

Mar 31, 2012 2:48 PM in response to Antonylewis

Same issue here.

Model: iPad Wi-Fi & 4G 64 GB

Network provider: T-Mobile/Telekom Germany

Mar 31, 2012 9:39 PM in response to Antonylewis

Same issue here. Network provider: Singtel, Signapore. I initially thought it was telecom issue. Went to Singtel to change for a new SIM. Called the backend office to do a hard reset on my line. Bu the problem still persists. Went to apple service provider and they asked me to monitor this issue. It seems like I am having two issues.

1.) Unable to use 3G after being on WIFI

2.) Slow intermittent 3G connection even after manually switching WIFI off.

Turning on/off airplane mode doesnt work for me. I had to do a restart on my new Ipad. This is my 1st Ipad and is having such a bad experience with it. It is really very fustrating.

Antonylewis Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 31, 2012 10:51 PM in response to gene_wellborn

Gene

The workaround is to never have Wifi and Cellular data on at the same time, only have the one you are using on, then to switch, just turn it off in settings, wait 10 seconds, then turn the other one on. Worked for me so far.

Hope that helps.

Apr 1, 2012 12:27 AM in response to Antonylewis

Antonylewis

Thanks! I gona try that and monitor. : )

Apr 1, 2012 10:53 AM in response to Antonylewis

I am n my third iPad 3 as of yesterday, for various issues. So far I haven't had the 3G connectivity problems that the other 2 of them had, but it's not been 24 hours with the replacement yet. Never had a single issue with my iPad 2 and if this persists I am going to return it and stick with the 2. For almost $900 this is very disappointing and un-apple like. Poor Steve must be rolling around in his grave with this last release.

Apr 1, 2012 10:54 AM in response to GranvilleDB

And having to turn off and on wi-fi and 3G settings every time I want to come and go from my wifi network is NOT an acceptable fix.

Apr 1, 2012 3:32 PM in response to lando55

Same issue here.

lando55 wrote:

Same issue here.

Model: iPad Wi-Fi & 4G 64 GB

Network provider: T-Mobile/Telekom Germany

the same here (also 64GB) / Germany

I have tried already two network providers: O2 and Vodafone

Apr 1, 2012 4:10 PM in response to musicsound

Mine is a 64gb 4G also, wonder if there is something to that...

FazerWiz

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2012 4:12 PM in response to GranvilleDB

Interesting, so is mine - I wonder if it's only 64 MB models that are affected?

Antonylewis Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2012 7:15 PM in response to FazerWiz

Mine is 32Gb.

So after a few days of having WiFi capabilities switched off, I am having to turn off and on much less frequently. I would say that 4 out of 5 times where it used to stop working, it now works. Over the past few days I have to reset perhaps 3 or 4 times.

Perhaps there are multiple causes of the same symptoms here, and turning off WiFi fixes one of the more common causes?

NewForce

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2012 9:06 PM in response to FazerWiz

Mine was 32GB 3/4G+WiFi version also suffering this problem since Day-1 03/16 Launch Day.

This morning my new iPad 3G connection come back alive AFTER 3 REBBOT. Omg such a bad day for me. I've notices each instances happened after I've come out from 3 different basement carpark where there's no data connection. Remembered this is with only 3G cellular data set to on, there's no WiFi on.

Now I'm just wondering how long can I take it and how long can i hold on to this rotten new iPad... Help Apple pleasehelp... Even thought functionality might not to my best liking but I like your tablet as it is the most chic tablet to carrying around.

Btw, I went back to my iPad ISP Singtel today again. Again the service girl the best helps she could offer me was with another complete new SIM card for my iPad plan line, abd she will help to escalate the problem to higher management to discuss with Apple. Unfortunately thought, she could not get any higher senior management person to call me for any result they discuss with Apple.

The Singtel service girl said, if problem like this new iPad happened, and in many country across 3 continents it must be the Apple new iPad hardware issue. She also mentioned, maybe the next iOS release will help to rectify the problem.

FazerWiz

Level 1

0 points

Apr 2, 2012 1:01 AM in response to Antonylewis

Yeah I'm sorry to report hat I'm he same. After 3days of switching between he wifi and cellular data manually, last night it stopped working again and I had to power cycle it. Once in 3 days is Much better than 5 times a day, but clearly it's not a perfect workaround.

I should get my new iPad in the next few days, fingers crossed I'm one of the lucky ones and the new one works.

Torqen

Level 1

5 points

Apr 2, 2012 10:01 AM in response to GranvilleDB

No, mine is 32GB and I see a lot of other people with the 32GB version is affected by this problem. Talked to Apple customer service, and they admitted getting a lot of complaints regarding this problem. The only advice the gave me was to do a full restore and report back if this did not solve the problem. The be perfectly honest, I am not even sure I will bother doing this as I am 99% sure it will have no effect whatsoever.

Also went to a norwegian Apple reseller store and talked to one of the clerks about this problem. The clerk

responded that he also struggled with the same thing, but he was pretty sure this was an issue that Apple was

looking into and would respond with a software fix within the "near" future..... well, I am waiting in agony.

Apr 2, 2012 1:27 PM in response to Torqen

Same problem here. Live in Slovakia and on T-Mobile network. Having a difficult apple week as my mac book pro disk crashed completely so my wife is taking mickey a lot - i used to explain why we need these expensive gadgets that "they just work..." Dearest Apple I think we all would feel a lot better about our new toy if you were to ackonwledge the problem and drop us a line that you are working hard to sort it out....;)

My iPad 3 says 3G but data stops working