Not that I ever really put too much weight behind what phone based or online chat customer service reps say but I chatted with one from the apple store's online help section to ask about the iPad. As you can see from the copied chat transcript below I think we may have to wait until either Apple comes out to agree/disagree about this or someone buys one on release day and tests with another sim. The 'apple expert' contradicted himself throughout, stating that BOTH the iPad is locked to ATT (my current provider so I was asking about this not the CDMA variant) but also that I could switch with a local sim card and that it 'would function the same way it does in the original iPad'


That clears it up obviously
Again I don't think this disproves or proves anything... I think it just shows we're going to have to wait and see unless Apple comes out and makes it clear publicly...
• You are chatting with Darren R, an Apple Expert
• Hi, my name is Darren R. Welcome to Apple!
• How may I help you with your shopping in the Apple Online Store?
• Hi, I was looking around the apple site as I'm interested in ordering an iPad 2 next week when they were available. I was looking at the 3G (GSM) variant and had a question
• I would be happy to answer your questions today!
• I travel fairly frequently out of the country and I would be interested in switching out the micro sim for a local provider that would allow me to have a data plan in a foreign country. This is what I have done previously with my current iPad and I wanted to make sure that I'll be able to do the same with the new version
• Give me just a moment to read over this information.
• I ask this question because of the wording on the iPad 2 information page...
http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/ - it says: If you decide on an iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G, be sure to select the model that corresponds with the carrier you’d like to use for 3G service. The iPad model you purchase is specially configured to work with either AT&T or Verizon — not both. So while you don’t have to activate 3G service right away, you should choose your iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G according to the carrier you prefer.
• As long as you can find 3G service to a Micro Sim device, you should be set!
• that wording looks as if it says that the 3g is limited specifically to the carrier originally chosen (as in the iPad is locked to a specific carrier) or is this information implying that you simply can't use a GSM and CDMA device and network interchangeably (ie ATT ipad on verizon or verizon iPad on Att...)
• It is locked to AT&T, however, if you are able to find 3G coverage in the area you visit you can use the 3G data for that region.
• but why would a device being sold at full price (with no subsidy from carrier such as the current way cellphones are sold in exchange for multi year contracts) why would a device that is being sold at full price not be able to use any sim card that I choose. I live in another country 6 months a year and it would be impossible to pay ATTs rates of 20/mb if I can't choose a local provider and use their sim
• I am very sorry about that, but I do not have that information. I would check to see if you can use the areas 3G service before you visit that country.
• However, I do completely understand your concern.
• I know I can use the providers 3g... I have and currently am using with my original iPad... my question relates to if this new iPad can also perform the same function as my current iPad because the language and wording regarding 3G service remains unclear on the product page
• That is correct. That would not change per model.
• is there a way (or someone I can talk to) to figure out if I will be able to use other sims (outside of the US) and if so how could I find that out/who would I need to talk to...
• However, I am not sure how the iPad for Verizon would work as that is a CDMA device.
• I'm not a verizon customer and not interested in using a CDMA based 3G ipad... I'm more curious about the GSM variant because I can change the sim (which I do currently with the original iPad) and just need to confirm before I order a $829 device to be sure it can work in the way I need it to
• so would a supervisor or someone else be able to confirm that i can use other providers micro sims to use 3G service outside of the US, from a local provider?
• Yes, that will work the same as it does on the Original iPad.