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Was this for a replacement iPad SIM? I know that if you are a postpaid customer, they will give you a free replacement SIM for your iPhone or other phone, but I wasn't sure about the iPad-specific SIM.

This will be my first iPad with a cellular connection. I'd say give it a shot. Worst case scenario is they say no and you are where you started.
 
I am not sure that is the reason the iphone 4s has the same issue of being locked. The Canadian version works on all US carriers. The US version is locked to the specific carrier. Ie: You cant use At&t on any CDMA network or Verizon on any US GSM network.

Yeah, the iPhone could be more complicated as it's locked by default when purchased through the carrier.

I remember seeing how the Verizon iPhone was sim locked, and that they did unlock it for you for international use, but was that on a carrier by carrier basis? And an unlocked iPhone worked on either AT&T (GSM) or Verizon (CDMA) as needed? If that's true then I would think the iPad won't have an issue either.

Last time I needed a new SIM from AT&T, they didn't charge me for it. But your results may vary from store-to-store.

Was this for a replacement iPad SIM? I know that if you are a postpaid customer, they will give you a free replacement SIM for your iPhone or other phone, but I wasn't sure about the iPad-specific SIM.

I've gone to AT&T to purchase several micro sims in the past and was never charged for them. Prepaid use and iPad use... But I'm sure its a big YMMV.
 
Yeah, the iPhone could be more complicated as it's locked by default when purchased through the carrier.

I remember seeing how the Verizon iPhone was sim locked, and that they did unlock it for you for international use, but was that on a carrier by carrier basis? And an unlocked iPhone worked on either AT&T (GSM) or Verizon (CDMA) as needed? If that's true then I would think the iPad won't have an issue either.

Well I have no issue with them locking it if it is carrier subsidized. If I go to the Apple store with $650 plus tax that is mine phone and should be able to do with it as I want. If it’s a tech issue I don’t complain but it seems like At&t and Verizon don’t want to give us a choice.
 
Well I have no issue with them locking it if it is carrier subsidized. If I go to the Apple store with $650 plus tax that is mine phone and should be able to do with it as I want. If it’s a tech issue I don’t complain but it seems like At&t and Verizon don’t want to give us a choice.

I've only purchased unlocked iPhones in canada as that's where I live.. and its worked on all network (but of course I've never tried cdma).

So full priced iPhones in the US ($650) aren't carrier unlocked? That definitely seems like it shouldn't be a technical issue, but who knows.
 
Verizon has traditionally been a cdma carrier - a technology that does not use sim cards. Their LTE network however does use sim cards (as its an evolution of the GSM standard). For LTE service on the device from verizon you need to use a sim card.

Now, besides the LTE aspect of the iPad, both versions have identical GSM/3G technologies that AT&T and other carriers around the world use. They need sim card as well to connect. Being that iPads are all unlocked, one technically should be able to put an AT&T sim card into the "Verizon LTE" iPad and get gsm/3G connectivity. The best thing to do is ask for an iPad sim card from AT&T or an Apple store - sim cards are all standard but I believe they have certain stock of sim cards that are provisioned for iPad use ahead of time.

Hope that helps...

Great information. Thanks for the explanation. I realized that I'm getting the AT&T version on 3/16 and the VZW version on 3/20. I'll put the AT&T sim in the VZW and if it works I'll ask for an AT&T sim when I return it.
 
I've only purchased unlocked iPhones in canada as that's where I live.. and its worked on all network (but of course I've never tried cdma).

So full priced iPhones in the US ($650) aren't carrier unlocked? That definitely seems like it shouldn't be a technical issue, but who knows.

Brother you are soooo lucky. I am jealous, in your country you get the best deal. I was visiting someone in northern Ohio I drove to Canada to buy an iPhone 4s because we can't buy them here. i guess its illegal to export Canadian iPhones.
 
Brother you are soooo lucky. I am jealous, in your country you get the best deal. I was visiting someone in northern Ohio I drove to Canada to buy an iPhone 4s because we can't buy them here. i guess its illegal to export Canadian iPhones.

Lol.. And somehow in all this iPad LTE mess we're the only ones that can buy a single iPad version and use it with different LTE carriers.

I don't think it's illegal to export.. I definitely remember people buying and selling unlocked iPhones back since the 3GS since they were unlocked. Actually I don't know for sure the laws around exporting/selling lol.

That surprises me though in the US.. I thought with the 4 or 4S they were really carrier unlocked when sold at full price.
 
It's not verizon or at&t giving us the device, it's Apple. And it is a truly unlocked device.
You don't think they are "up close" with the 2 providers? This is your OPINION and you have absolutely no information AS FACT other than what you BELIEVE to be the case. I hope **I** am wrong since I ordered a Verizon version for just that reason. However I strongly believe the ATT SIM won't work in the Verizon version in the USA (but will outside the USA). VERIZON can easily provision it to ignore ATT towers in the US while leaving it fully "unlocked" in the rest of the world and thus keep the promise of being able to use it worldwide (VZW in the US, anything else outside the US as well as foreign SIMs inside the US).
 
You don't think they are "up close" with the 2 providers? This is your OPINION and you have absolutely no information AS FACT other than what you BELIEVE to be the case. I hope **I** am wrong since I ordered a Verizon version for just that reason. However I strongly believe the ATT SIM won't work in the Verizon version in the USA (but will outside the USA). VERIZON can easily provision it to ignore ATT towers in the US while leaving it fully "unlocked" in the rest of the world and thus keep the promise of being able to use it worldwide (VZW in the US, anything else outside the US as well as foreign SIMs inside the US).

I believe it to be the case as every gsm iPad sold has been unlocked, and apple has mentioned the new iPad to be unlocked as well.

I'm sure there's a chance Verizon could be doing something funny, I have no idea what exactly happens when a device is provisioned on CDMA.

And yes, out of the box apple is giving us an unlocked device.
 
I believe it to be the case as every gsm iPad sold has been unlocked, and apple has mentioned the new iPad to be unlocked as well.
This is not specifically a GSM iPad but a Verizon CDMA "world-device" (almost said "world phone"). Where has Apple said it was "UNLOCKED?" They did say it could be used anywhere in the world WHERE THE BANDS ARE COMPATIBLE and listed the radios but I don't believe they ever used the term "unlocked" or "sim unlocked." Everyone is ASSuming. We'll see on Friday. Hope you're right.
 
I am not sure that is the reason the iphone 4s has the same issue of being locked. The Canadian version works on all US carriers. The US version is locked to the specific carrier. Ie: You cant use At&t on any CDMA network or Verizon on any US GSM network.

I do not believe you are activate an unlocked (Non USA iPhone 4S) on either Sprint or Verizon CDMA network.

Cause guy on Howard forums got unlocked iPhone 4S from a trip in China and Veruzon would not activate his unlocked iPhone 4S.

International Unlocked iPhone 4S only works on GSM carriers and not CDMA carriers like Verizon.
 
This is not specifically a GSM iPad but a Verizon CDMA "world-device" (almost said "world phone"). Where has Apple said it was "UNLOCKED?" They did say it could be used anywhere in the world WHERE THE BANDS ARE COMPATIBLE and listed the radios but I don't believe they ever used the term "unlocked" or "sim unlocked." Everyone is ASSuming. We'll see on Friday. Hope you're right.

Apple specifically says you can drop a local sim in and use their network when traveling abroad. Its on the iPad website.
 
The reason I bought a Verizon iPad is becuase it has the AT&T bands too. I do not really care about LTE.

The first thing I am doing is putting my iPhone 4 sim in the iPad and seeing if it works. I just cannot see it being carrier locked.
 
Having an unlocked 3G/HSPA sim in a Verizon LTE iPad would make the device much more resellable. Because people would be able to have their choice of Verizon LTE/CDMA and AT&T HSPA plus.
 
we might have to wait for a tear down of the iPads to compare.

In terms of network support and sim locks I don't think a tear down would really help would it?

I mean, we know the technical stuff, which qualcomm chipset is being used and what bands are supported on each.
 
In terms of network support and sim locks I don't think a tear down would really help would it?

I mean, we know the technical stuff, which qualcomm chipset is being used and what bands are supported on each.

Yep agree. We know chipset. The million dollar question is did apple provision the baseband or software to lock the gsm provision within the USA.

My hunch is AT&T and Verizon are in this together with Apple to conquer and divide.
 
I believe it to be the case as every gsm iPad sold has been unlocked, and apple has mentioned the new iPad to be unlocked as well.

I'm sure there's a chance Verizon could be doing something funny, I have no idea what exactly happens when a device is provisioned on CDMA.

And yes, out of the box apple is giving us an unlocked device.

First of all, this is NOT a GSM device as the ATT one is, it's a USA only CDMA device with GSM bands for ROAMING outside the US. Apple NEVER said it was unlocked just that it could be used anywhere in the world. While the ATT GSM version is unlocked because ATT is GSM and in order to use it worldwide it must be unlocked while the Verizon one is CDMA with GSM fallback for outside the US and sold only in the USA.

You, me and everyone else is only GUESSING & ASSuming based purely on conjecture however I really do hope you are right.

Guess we'll know for sure Friday at the latest one way or the other! ;) I emailed "THE VERGE.COM" and suggested they try it since they have the iPad now.
 
The reason the iphones are locked is because they are heavily subsidized by the carriers.

Just in case anyone has not noticed, we are paying an extra $130 for the cellular version of the ipad. Therefore, these are not locked. You are free to use them on whichever networks the radio chipsets support.

The only reason there are two versions is because of the LTE bands.

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First of all, this is NOT a GSM device as the ATT one is, it's a USA only CDMA device with GSM bands for ROAMING outside the US. Apple NEVER said it was unlocked just that it could be used anywhere in the world. While the ATT GSM version is unlocked because ATT is GSM and in order to use it worldwide it must be unlocked while the Verizon one is CDMA with GSM fallback for outside the US and sold only in the USA.

No such thing as GSM or CDMA device, whenever both chipsets are included.

This device has nothing to do with the carriers. If you purchase a 4G and never activate it, neither VZ or ATT will care. It's also why they offer prepaid data subscriptions that you can connect or disconnect at your leisure.
 
The reason the iphones are locked is because they are heavily subsidized by the carriers.

Just in case anyone has not noticed, we are paying an extra $130 for the cellular version of the ipad. Therefore, these are not locked. You are free to use them on whichever networks the radio chipsets support.

The only reason there are two versions is because of the LTE bands.

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No such thing as GSM or CDMA device, whenever both chipsets are included.

This device has nothing to do with the carriers. If you purchase a 4G and never activate it, neither VZ or ATT will care. It's also why they offer prepaid data subscriptions that you can connect or disconnect at your leisure.

My old Verizon Iphone 4 has a chipset that allows GSM bands. But there is no sim card slot. The chipset alone does not define the device GSM or CDMA device.

Do you think At&t and Verizon worked with Apple to offer LTE for the fun of it. They want you to activate their service because that is how they make money.
 
If AT&T 3G does indeed work on the Verizon model, I hope that if I decide to switch to Verizon 4G LTE that it will not then lock my iPad with Verizon. Depending on LTE coverage, I might want to go back to AT&T 3G.
 
Yea, I'm with everyone else that wants to buy a Verizon version just so I have the ability to pop in my iPhone ATT sim wherever Verizon's LTE is not available.

Its obvious that the Verizon version includes the GSM chipsets so if there is any sort of carrier or software lock preventing it from being used on USA GSM networks there will be an outrage. There is no way Apple can justify locking it when we pay full price for the device.
 
My old Verizon Iphone 4 has a chipset that allows GSM bands. But there is no sim card slot. The chipset alone does not define the device GSM or CDMA device.

Do you think At&t and Verizon worked with Apple to offer LTE for the fun of it. They want you to activate their service because that is how they make money.

The iphone 4 was not released as a world phone, and the VZ model does not allow roaming onto GSM. The iphone 4S is indeed a world phone and the exact same handset is sold by AT&T, VZ, and Sprint. However, they are locked down using software.

These cellular ipads are not subsidized, so while they work with a wireless carrier, we are under no obligation to use the carrier. Whereas, if I purchase a 4S from Sprint for $199, they are expecting me to use it on Sprint and that is why it's locked.

Much like the ipad, if I purchase an unlocked 4S, I can use it on whoever I want (that allows it) or simply not activate it with anyone at all.
 
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Much like the ipad, if I purchase an unlocked 4S, I can use it on whoever I want that allows it or not activate it with anyone at all.

That is incorrect. You can't use a unlocked 4S with just any carrier.

Also you ignored my statements. They do care what service you use because thats how they make money. Chipsets do not alone define a device CDMA or GSM.
 
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