New Verizon iPad Runs on AT&T 3G Networks with AT&T Micro-SIM

[ScooterComputer]

How exactly would Apple benefit from having multiple SKUs?

The same way they profit from locking the iPhone baseband. There is no reason why Apple plays the carriers' game anymore, the carriers now need Apple more than Apple needs them. Maybe for the original iPhone, even the 3G, but by the intro of the Verizon iPhone 4, Apple was clearly in a position to tell the carriers to get bent. The iPhone 4S didn't need to be carrier-locked. Yet they still play the game. They even refuse to unlock handsets AFTER contracts are up! Why? Because it drives the sale of new handsets...there is little financial incentive NOT to pay $99 or $199 for the newest iPhone, rather than a used iPhone and pay the same monthly price.

 

[PLin]

I pulled the AT&T Sim card out of my iPad 2 and inserted into my Verizon iPad 3 and when I went to the account page to see if I was able to purchase AT&T service I got an error that said the device was not recognized or was not compatible. It showed AT&T in the corner but it would not allow me to purchase a months worth of service. I'm not sure what the fix would be for that. Maybe it has something to do with setting the APN number like you have to do with the iPhone when you want to insert its Sim card into your iPad.

I had the same problem. I grabbed a fresh MicroSIM at the AT&T store yesterday, but they gave me the wrong one that isn't for iPad use. I'm going to the store in about an hour to get the correct SIM to see if this issue can be resolved.

 

[RetiredInFl]

I pulled the AT&T Sim card out of my iPad 2 and inserted into my Verizon iPad 3 and when I went to the account page to see if I was able to purchase AT&T service I got an error that said the device was not recognized or was not compatible.

I would think you would ned to change the ESN in your AT&T iPad account to reflect the different device. It still "thinks" it's the iPad 2. That is evidenly the one of the differences between an iPad sim and a "regular" phone sim.

You can do there here: https://dcp2.att.com/OEPNDClient/ but I think the site is being hammered with new users because for some reason I am suddenly unable to load it.

 

[smithrh]

Sounds like retail to me. LOL ;-) No company has the same people working on the "handset set" and the infrastructure. That's always been the case; they're two entirely different groups, and is what causes so much pain between handsets and network.

And any company that has one role doing all that must be really really small, or just BS. Are you that company that made those little antennae boosters they sold for $0.99 and stuck on your battery and claimed it enhanced your signal, back in the late 90s???

Sit back and learn, kid.

Back in the day - apparently before you were born - there was a company that made high-tech stuff.

Police radios, satellites and satellite phones, cell phones, cell phone network infrastructure, microprocessors (powered the Apple II and the Mac even), cable modems, computers, batteries and car electronics. No, that's not a total list - there's quite a bit more, but this will suffice for now.

And in that company - which most certainly did make both phones and infrastructure (there were 2 others that did - can you name them? Probably not...) - employees could (shock!) move between divisions, either temporarily, or even (horror!) permanently. Hell, the divisions were right across the street from each other.

I have news for you: lots of people went between the divisions. Handsets one year, back to infrastructure the next.

Is this rocket science to you? Or are you just unaware that people may have long careers in big companies with multiple jobs in that company?

Now, somewhat sadly, this company couldn't keep up and part of it is owned by a company based in California that you may have also heard of, and another part is now owned by a company based in Europe. I no longer have any affiliation with any of these companies - but NDAs are still in force.

I say he's an AT&T employee. LOL. Apple has fanboys drinking their kool-aid right out of the faucet (I might be a little guilty), but there's no such thing as an "AT&T Fanboy" except employees, haha. I know several AT&T employees who use Verizon or Sprint... that says alot since their employee lines are free, hahahaha.

*RAH RAH RAH, AT&T RAH RAH RAH!* LOL, I can't even say it without laughing.

LOL indeed.

First, if you would have just checked my post history you would know this to not be the case. But hey, that would actually take some work wouldn't it. It's so much easier to just post crap, right?

Secondly, a couple of polos from product launches from that company I supposedly didn't work with for my customers. Note that one is from a pretty long time ago. Yeah, I've been around.


You might recognize this customer of mine:


Ahhh... it's Friday, time for the weekend and some fun time with my new iPad (Verizon, natch) that my boss surprised me with as a bonus...

Have a day.

 

[GameHat]

New iPad: AT&T and T-Mobile

Hey Guys,

This is my first post, and I just created this account. I read MacRumors since 2009 regularly, but I never had any account. Today, I received my new iPad 64GB ATT from FedEx at 3:00pm, and it couldn't be any later! Long story short, I was not sure if I want to keep it or exchange with Verizon because of this article.

I decided to try T-Mobile sim from my unlocked iPhone 4S. If it works, it means that ATT version is also unlocked from factory. Well, it certainly works with the T-Mobile edge when APN is set to "epc.tmobile.com." I know it has only 2G speed, but it works! I am happy that Apple has not locked any of these devices, and you can also put H2O or any other GSM sim cards in this device.

Regards...

 

[profets]

The same way they profit from locking the iPhone baseband. There is no reason why Apple plays the carriers' game anymore, the carriers now need Apple more than Apple needs them. Maybe for the original iPhone, even the 3G, but by the intro of the Verizon iPhone 4, Apple was clearly in a position to tell the carriers to get bent. The iPhone 4S didn't need to be carrier-locked. Yet they still play the game. They even refuse to unlock handsets AFTER contracts are up! Why? Because it drives the sale of new handsets...there is little financial incentive NOT to pay $99 or $199 for the newest iPhone, rather than a used iPhone and pay the same monthly price.

It sounds like you're describing why carriers enjoy locking phones, not Apple.

It's pretty obvious that Apple would rather use the carrier as a dumb pipe as the whole contract/customer service/subsidies from carriers is just a complicated and poor experience. Look what they've done with the iPad. Grab a sim and activate data on the device. You could do it all without every having to interact with a carrier. If you're having a problem with service or price jump somewhere else, nothing tying you down.

 

[weave]

Sit back and learn, kid.

I know you fell for a troll, but I enjoyed that anyway.

Ah, I remember being excited about getting 1X in my area!

 

[PLin]

Got a fresh iPad SIM from the AT&T store. After I insert it in the Verizon iPad, I get AT&T 4G in the top left as well as signal bars, but when I go to the Cellular Data screen and tap View Account, I get the message "The device type entered is not supported."

It looks like that although there's no technical reason why a Verizon iPad can't use AT&T HSPA+, the servers won't allow you to purchase a data plan. If you activate the plan using other means first, it would probably work, which is why AT&T iPhone users have been able to successfully use their SIMs in the new iPad.

Update: If you try to activate on the AT&T website (https://dcp2.att.com/OEPNDClient/pages/B-00T.jsp) using the IMEI number, you get the same error message, so I have a feeling that AT&T simply rejects the IMEI numbers from Verizon iPads.

 

[manu chao]

If you have an AT&T phone with a micro-SIM in it, you can put it in the iPad and use that data plan. If that's the case, my decision to get the Verizon iPad was a winner. My only question is about installing the AT&T APN carrier settings, but I am sure I can Google that or it might be in the video in the article that I haven't watched yet.

If AT&T can restrict how you use the MB or GB you have paid for (assuming you are actually paying for a fixed amount of data) by disabling tethering, they might not like this either. But then I think charging for tethering itself should be illegal if you are on a fixed data plan. Thankfully, worldwide tethering is free with a lot carriers, partly due to competitive pressures which are lower in the US because of the technological divide between the carriers. But I think, the availability of free tethering in a lot of countries does put some pressure on AT&T, if only via customers and the public pointing out this difference.

----------

This needs to be clarified in the article...

"The Verizon iPad hardware supports only the upper 700 MHz band for LTE to match the carrier's technology, while the GSM version sold for use on AT&T's network supports both the lower 700 MHz band used by AT&T and the 2100 MHz band used by Canadian carriers."

So there is an upper and lower 700 MHz band and thus the AT&T iPad won't do LTE on Verizon's network?

 

[manu chao]

The "too good to be true" part comes in when AT&T sends you a text message and/or email warning you about using your iPhone's SIM card in a different device. If your AT&T iPhone data plan is the original UNLIMITED plan, AT&T will likely send you that text message or email VERY quickly. A message warning you that continued use of the SIM in the wrong device could result in the SIM card being locked out (won't work in ANY device). If your AT&T iPhone data plan is limited, then AT&T may or may not bother sending you a warning.

I can understand it for their unlimited plans, these were essentially just clever advertising. AT&T knew that without tethering (and iOS did not support tethering for I think as long as two years), very few phone users would burn through GBs of data (only lots of streaming video and audio would do this).

But to me a SIM is a SIM, it is a contract about a fixed amount of data and voice and fixed rates when going over those limits. How and where I use this data, should be my business. I currently have a data-only contract in Germany, and I am using the SIM from this contract to receive SMS abroad at no charge at all. For two simple reasons, receiving SMS is free in Europe, even when roaming. And a SIM is just a SIM (and does have a phone number).

The same way they profit from locking the iPhone baseband. There is no reason why Apple plays the carriers' game anymore, the carriers now need Apple more than Apple needs them. Maybe for the original iPhone, even the 3G, but by the intro of the Verizon iPhone 4, Apple was clearly in a position to tell the carriers to get bent. The iPhone 4S didn't need to be carrier-locked. Yet they still play the game. They even refuse to unlock handsets AFTER contracts are up! Why? Because it drives the sale of new handsets...there is little financial incentive NOT to pay $99 or $199 for the newest iPhone, rather than a used iPhone and pay the same monthly price.

If the carrier is fine with it, Apple does unlock devices after the contract is over. I had it done to my iPhone 3G after its 2-year contract was over.

 

[manu chao]

Deleted

 

[RetiredInFl]

Got a fresh iPad SIM from the AT&T store. After I insert it in the Verizon iPad, I get AT&T 4G in the top left as well as signal bars, but when I go to the Cellular Data screen and tap View Account, I get the message "The device type entered is not supported."

It looks like that although there's no technical reason why a Verizon iPad can't use AT&T HSPA+, the servers won't allow you to purchase a data plan. If you activate the plan using other means first, it would probably work, which is why AT&T iPhone users have been able to successfully use their SIMs in the new iPad.

Update: If you try to activate on the AT&T website (https://dcp2.att.com/OEPNDClient/pages/B-00T.jsp) using the IMEI number, you get the same error message, so I have a feeling that AT&T simply rejects the IMEI numbers from Verizon iPads.

Well folks, looks like this really doesn't work ... here is the low-down gathered from various threads:


#1) If you have an ACTIVATED iPhone SIM and put it in the VERIZON (VZW) iPad ATT Data works. However there is no way ATT will let it continue plus it is against their TOS.

#2) If you have an ACTIVATED iPad 2 SIM from your previous iPad (or even from an iPad 3) it will also work in a VZW iPad but you may have to change the APN (easy do do).

#3) If you have a FRESH NEW not yet activated iPad SIM and put it into the VZW iPad you cannot activate the SIM in the iPad or Online.

So basically the VZW iPad software does lock out AT&T SIM cards. Unless you already have an activated ATT SIM you are SOL which kinda kills the deal for most people.

Does anyone have any different TESTED RESULTS?

 

[Luminair]

I guess there hasn't been a 4G iPad on Verizon yet, so I would surmise that no one has had any fluff from Verizon. I have a Galaxy Nexus and a 4G Verizon iPad - I know someone mentioned it early, but I presume this wouldn't be an issue.

Are there other devices that have similar circumstances that are on Verizon? Another tablet/cell combination?

 

[manu chao]

So basically the VZW iPad software does lock out AT&T SIM cards. Unless you already have an activated ATT SIM you are SOL which kinda kills the deal for most people.

So, AT&T won't activate their SIMs, even if you put them into any old GSM phone?

 

[RetiredInFl]

So, AT&T won't activate their SIMs, even if you put them into any old GSM phone?

Sure they will but you'd have to pay a monthly fee plus have a c2yr contract. Putting a phone device SIM into an iPad will more than likely get you the infamous "stop or we'll cut you off" text as it is against the TOS. Besides, doing that will cost big bucks to pay for a phone voice & data plan for an iPad. You can swap back and forth with an existing phone SIM but ultimately you will get flagged plus who wants to keep doing that as you lose your voice calls.

 

[imeth]

I exchanged my 64Gb wifi for this version Verizon 64Gb to use my AT&T iPhone

 

[PLin]

So basically the VZW iPad software does lock out AT&T SIM cards. Unless you already have an activated ATT SIM you are SOL which kinda kills the deal for most people.

I don't think it's a problem with the VZW iPad software. If it was a software issue, then activating on the AT&T website wouldn't be a problem. The problem is that the IMEI number of the Verizon iPad is blacklisted or isn't recognized by AT&T's systems as an iPad. When you try to activate on the iPad itself, you can tell that the iPad is communicating with AT&T but then gives you the same message as the website gives you.

 

[manu chao]

Sure they will but you'd have to pay a monthly fee plus have a c2yr contract. Putting a phone device SIM into an iPad will more than likely get you the infamous "stop or we'll cut you off" text as it is against the TOS. Besides, doing that will cost big bucks to pay for a phone voice & data plan for an iPad. You can swap back and forth with an existing phone SIM but ultimately you will get flagged plus who wants to keep doing that as you lose your voice calls.

I am sure AT&T sells data-plan only SIMs for USB-modems or MiFi-type devices. Why not get one of these and put them into your iPad? Certainly come without a voice plan.

 

[EMagnusL]

Sit back and learn, kid.

This sentence should go down in Internet history for proceeding "The Algorithm for the Complete and Total Clobbering of a Troll."

 

[RetiredInFl]

I don't think it's a problem with the VZW iPad software. If it was a software issue, then activating on the AT&T website wouldn't be a problem. The problem is that the IMEI number of the Verizon iPad is blacklisted or isn't recognized by AT&T's systems as an iPad. When you try to activate on the iPad itself, you can tell that the iPad is communicating with AT&T but then gives you the same message as the website gives you.

Yes, but it's the software that doesn't let you load the ATT signup page on the device itself (not the website). If software wasn't blocking it you would get to the ATT account screen on the iPad itself (that's not a website) and at that point it wouldn't let you create an account. Sound plausible?

In any case, it simply doesn't work.

 

[thelocalhost]

Yes, but it's the software that doesn't let you load the ATT signup page on the device itself (not the website). If software wasn't blocking it you would get to the ATT account screen on the iPad itself (that's not a website) and at that point it wouldn't let you create an account. Sound plausible?

In any case, it simply doesn't work.

I've never taken a 3G iPad to another country, but wouldn't it work the same way? Like how would you activate a UK 3G iPad on at&t?

 

[PLin]

Yes, but it's the software that doesn't let you load the ATT signup page on the device itself (not the website). If software wasn't blocking it you would get to the ATT account screen on the iPad itself (that's not a website) and at that point it wouldn't let you create an account. Sound plausible?

In any case, it simply doesn't work.

It's not the software. The software tries to load the account screen and even shows the AT&T logo. It's communicating with the same server that AT&T's website communicates with and submits the IMEI number but returns the same error message rather than showing the plans. It's the same error message that you get on an AT&T iPad if you try to purchase service using a SIM card that was previously used on a different iPad, which is also related to a bad IMEI number.

If there was a way to spoof the IMEI number, then the software would probably load the plans without any problems.

I wonder if you could simply use the IMEI number of an AT&T iPad to purchase a plan on the website whenever you wanted service on the Verizon iPad.

----------

I've never taken a 3G iPad to another country, but wouldn't it work the same way? Like how would you activate a UK 3G iPad on at&t?

You would go to the AT&T store, get a SIM card, and insert it into the UK iPad. Then, go to the same screen on the iPad to purchase the plan. It would work fine, since AT&T's servers should accept the IMEI number of a UK iPad. It's just not accepting the IMEI number of the Verizon iPad.

 

[RetiredInFl]

It's not the software. The software tries to load the account screen and even shows the AT&T logo. It's communicating with the same server that AT&T's website communicates with and submits the IMEI number but returns the same error message rather than showing the plans. It's the same error message that you get on an AT&T iPad if you try to purchase service using a SIM card that was previously used on a different iPad, which is also related to a bad IMEI number.

If there was a way to spoof the IMEI number, then the software would probably load the plans without any problems.

I wonder if you could simply use the IMEI number of an AT&T iPad to purchase a plan on the website whenever you wanted service on the Verizon iPad.

AHHH! Must have missed that. You are then correct.

Using another ATT IMEI number should work seeing that you can use an iPad 2 SIM (unless that number was used by someone else). Don't think you can have 2 working accounts with the same IMEI. That might mean you'd have to have an ATT iPad?

Can you add to your existing ATT iPad (1,2 or 3) data plan online without doing it on the iPad itself?

I'm holding on to two still unopened iPads (ATT & VZW) waiting for this to be settled before I open them.

 

[PLin]

Using another ATT IMEI number should work seeing that you can use an iPad 2 SIM (unless that number was used by someone else). Don't think you can have 2 working accounts with the same IMEI. That might mean you'd have to have an ATT iPad?

You wouldn't even need an AT&T iPad. In theory, you could enter the IMEI number of any GSM iPad, iPad 2, or non-Verizon new iPad. I have friends overseas who won't be coming to the US in the foreseeable future, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind letting me use their IMEI number to purchase AT&T service.

What I don't know is if AT&T will disrupt your service if they detect that you are using the iPad plan with a device that their systems can't detect is an iPad.

 

[Blorzoga]

Well folks, looks like this really doesn't work ... here is the low-down gathered from various threads:


#1) If you have an ACTIVATED iPhone SIM and put it in the VERIZON (VZW) iPad ATT Data works. However there is no way ATT will let it continue plus it is against their TOS.

#2) If you have an ACTIVATED iPad 2 SIM from your previous iPad (or even from an iPad 3) it will also work in a VZW iPad but you may have to change the APN (easy do do).

#3) If you have a FRESH NEW not yet activated iPad SIM and put it into the VZW iPad you cannot activate the SIM in the iPad or Online.

So basically the VZW iPad software does lock out AT&T SIM cards. Unless you already have an activated ATT SIM you are SOL which kinda kills the deal for most people.

Does anyone have any different TESTED RESULTS?

So, let me get this straight. I have an iPad 2 on AT&T I have never activated the sim on. If I were to activate the sim on my iPad 2 with AT&T then remove it and place it into the iPad 3 on Verizon and change the APN, I would then be able to continue using AT&T on my VZW ipad3? How does one change the APN number?