When your pickup your new iPad today, you need to be sure you choose the right carrier if you’re purchasing a 4G model. That’s because AT&T and Verizon use different cellular bands for their 4G networks, so an AT&T iPad won’t connect to Verizon’s LTE network, and vice-versa.
They will share 3G connections, however. Buy a Verizon iPad and stick an AT&T micro SIM in it and you’ll have no problem connecting to AT&T’s 3G network.
AT&T and Verizon use the same GSM frequency bands for 3G networks, according to MacRumors, which is why the Verizon iPad will work on AT&T for non-LTE connections. All you need to do is apply the AT&T APN settings to your device, then pop in your AT&T micro SIM.
Jsnuff1 of the MacRumors forums wrote:
Big question on everyone’s mind buying the Verizon iPad was whether data from AT&Ts 3G network would work on this iPad, or if Verizon/Apple would block this.
I was one of the first to obtain a Verizon iPad and can happily confirm that this is allowed! I used my ATT iPhone 4S sim card and took out the Verizon sim, and data worked! You must apply the AT&T APN carrier settings before this works though.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijlPC2THVVI
It’s worth remembering, however, that the Verizon iPad cannot use AT&T’s 4G network — only its 3G one.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
7 responses to “The New Verizon iPad Will Work On AT&T’s 3G Network”
“AT&T and Verizon use the same GSM frequency bands for 3G networks, according to MacRumors, ” …. um…Verizon is CDMA.
I think they meant 4G fake network.
It is CDMA but keep in mind it’s also “World Ready” so it can go on any network it chooses to, but as the author stated he put in an AT&T sim card to swap carriers.
That indicates a capability of the iPad, not that a CDMA network is actually GSM.
Precisely. My iPhone 4s is now running on the at&t 4G network (or so it says) and the data throughput is just as bad as it was on iOS 5 and indicated 3G. Speedtest.net indicates horrible data performance…
I wonder if at&t lying about what it is selling amounts to sufficient breach of contract that you can end the contract with them without paying ETF, keep the iPhone, and head over to StraightTalk :)
There’s no such thing as a “GSM band.” The frequencies used by carriers for GSM (2G) in different countries are different. Same for UMTS (3G), CDMA2000 (3G), and LTE (actual 4G).
AT&T and Verizon own parts of the same spectrum bands, such as “PSS” (700 MHz), “Cellular” (800/850 MHz), and “PCS” (1900 MHz). The FCC gives the bands their names, and sometimes the names are oddly obsolete (PCS, PSS, etc.)
Verizon and AT&T 3G cellular networks are incompatible. AT&T uses UMTS for 3G, and Verizon uses CDMA2000 for 3G. Doesn’t matter if they use adjacent channels, it’s not the same system. Just because a device’s radio supports a particular band, doesn’t mean it will support the system that carrier is using in that band. Always check the specs.
So what happens when you pull the AT&T SIM out? Does it just switch back to Verizon EVDO? Or does it cause a problem, because you’ve applied AT&T APN settings?