Can someone share any meaningful insight as to why the FCC approval would take longer for this device than say the iPhone 3G or 3GS? Obviously the iPad is a larger device as is its 3G radio, but if the radio is designed to work on the same cellular data frequency spectrum, would it not be an easy approval from the FCC since the 3G radios in the iPhone have already been approved? Gosh I hate speculating, but if the apparent hold up is FCC approval and the former is true, then it begs the question does the 3G variant have something more to offer than Apple is willing to let on?
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iPad 3G FCC Approval Question
- Thread starter Eye4Desyn
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The ipad would in theory consume data more than the average iPhone.
The FCC must have past it though if you guys are able to pre order the ipad 3g
I'm also pretty sure every device revision carries a resubmission to the FCC. So even though the 3g and 3gs are technically the same device radio wise they have both had to be passed by the FCC.
The FCC must have past it though if you guys are able to pre order the ipad 3g
I'm also pretty sure every device revision carries a resubmission to the FCC. So even though the 3g and 3gs are technically the same device radio wise they have both had to be passed by the FCC.
How long did the iPhone take? They only submitted for the iPad on 3/12 according to the FCC site.
Agreed regarding the FCC approval of iPhone 3G and 3GS resubmission. However, I'm somewhat skeptical about data consumption (iPhone vs. iPad). I'm not exactly sure that's quantifiable yet. Merely speculation at this point.
All things considered, if all components of wifi iPad and 3G iPad are the same with the obvious exception being the 3G radio and FCC approval equals pre-order availability, then that only leaves me to wonder if in fact there are 3G radio supplier shortages causing the delay.
Considering the iPad will be so much more comfortable to use on the internet, whether you're watching YouTube or you're just browsing the web, I'm sure it'll burn up some GBs faster than it's iPhone sibling 
Answering my own question, the iPhone 3G took 70 days from submission to approval. I don't think there is any delay going on with the iPad.
It doesn't matter if they had already approved the iPhone. iPad 3G + WiFi is an entirely new device; it couldn't have been submitted before the announcement, and if the above poster is correct, it was submitted as recently as March 12th. If anything, Apple seems to have landed a speedy approval process from the FCC regarding iPad 3G + WiFi.
The FCC has approved the iPad models. The delay in the 3G model is likely so that Apple can ramp up production of the WiFi model to meet demand @ launch.
I have not seen the approval reported, although it is my understanding you can not sell a device that has not been approved.
They already submitted their stuff to FCC and requested FCC not to post information online for the next few weeks.
FCC Filings
Source