Q: Ipad and Cellular

I'm unable to turn my Verizon cellular network on. I don't use it a lot, but found myself unable to get WiFi on a recent trip. The "on" button in settings won't work. Since installing the various iOs upgrades, the ipad doesn't start up as quickly, goes blank for a brief time during start-up, and gives me two notifications during the start up process that there is no sim card installed.

Everything else works fine.