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Verizon or AT&T LTE iPad?

Bit the bullet and pre-ordered the Black 64GB AT&T iPad. I originally included the free engraving but cancelled my order and reordered it without the personalization in case I give it back.

As an iPad 1 AT&T unlimited user and considering the fact that I had positive AT&T iPad experience here in the New York City Metro area and the fact that two AT&T representatives (local store and AT&T national) said I can move my plan over made the choice a no-brainer. Another factor was that in the New York City Metro area the 4G coverage maps implies a much broader AT&T coverage area than Verizons. As an example, the Verizon map shows half of Long Island (Suffolk County) as being 3G only. The AT&T map is completely covered in blue (4G) for miles and miles around the New York City metropolitan area.

I figure that if AT&T pulls a fast one and doesn't allow or highly cripples the unlimited plan I can always return the iPad (within some window) and switch to Verizon - hence the backing off of the personalization - which I assume would complicate the return process.
 
trevorep said:
If you look at apple.de (Germany) or apple.com/uk they seem to sell the same version as the AT&T US version which means the ones you buy in Europe won't have the correct LTE bands for anywhere in Europe.

I'm clearly not an engineer for Apple but I really can't figure out why they need two different models in the US. The Verizon version seems to have all the same bands plus CDMA.
Click to expand...

I believe the AT&T version doesn't have CDMA capabilities to be on the Verizon network (when 4G is not available). I don't think it's a technical limitation as it is a financial one. The extra $130 is the "subsidy" of which a portion is paid to the specific carrier in exchange for the no-contract data plans.
 
vertigo235 said:
I think at this point we can only confirm this for 4G only. I'm not certain the 3G is carrier specific. AS evidenced by the fact that you can use world 3G, and the way you can take an AT&T iPad 2 and just put a foriegn sim in it.

Why can't I take a Verizon iPad 3 and put an AT&T SIM in it?

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My question isn't related to LTE, I want to know if I can use AT&T's *3G* network with the Verizon LTE model.
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I'm leaning towards a no on this one, mainly because this is the first CDMA-capable iPad that can be used on a competing network, they will probably do the same thing they did with the iPhone 4S, and lock the ability to use the new iPad with AT&T (but hopefully not, T-Mobile, as AT&T iPad units can connect to T-Mobile, and that would make a pretty bad impression on Verizon iPads as well)

For me, I've finally decided to get the AT&T one, as someone here pointed out, if LTE is not available, the network options that the iPad can fallback to is all the way back to EVDO on Verizon, while AT&T offers "4G" HSPA+ 21Mbps, which is the same one used on some phones like the HTC Inspire 4G which should pull up speeds of around 3-7Mbps, way more than good enough for me.

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H2K03 said:
I believe the AT&T version doesn't have CDMA capabilities to be on the Verizon network (when 4G is not available). I don't think it's a technical limitation as it is a financial one. The extra $130 is the "subsidy" of which a portion is paid to the specific carrier in exchange for the no-contract data plans.
Click to expand...

It kind of conflicts because technically, it doesn't cost Apple any less to get a GSM-only radio chip than a GSM-CDMA capable one (for example, Verizon iPhone 4, could've been marketed as a global phone if they added a SIM card slot).

I'm leaning towards a maybe, it can be a no because the seperation of the new iPad could also mean different 3G radio chips, but towards a yes, because they could both feature the same 3G radio chip with different LTE radio chips for both models.

And my two cents here, is that it would probably cost Apple less to use the same 3G radio chip across all new iPads than to source two different ones since buying wholesale from only one manufacturer will probably save them more money.

Either way though it doesn't really matter, I mean unless you're planning to flash that thing to metroPCS or something (if you even find a way) why bother?

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MartyXB said:
Bit the bullet and pre-ordered the Black 64GB AT&T iPad. I originally included the free engraving but cancelled my order and reordered it without the personalization in case I give it back.

As an iPad 1 AT&T unlimited user and considering the fact that I had positive AT&T iPad experience here in the New York City Metro area and the fact that two AT&T representatives (local store and AT&T national) said I can move my plan over made the choice a no-brainer. Another factor was that in the New York City Metro area the 4G coverage maps implies a much broader AT&T coverage area than Verizons. As an example, the Verizon map shows half of Long Island (Suffolk County) as being 3G only. The AT&T map is completely covered in blue (4G) for miles and miles around the New York City metropolitan area.

I figure that if AT&T pulls a fast one and doesn't allow or highly cripples the unlimited plan I can always return the iPad (within some window) and switch to Verizon - hence the backing off of the personalization - which I assume would complicate the return process.
Click to expand...

truth be told though, even if they do pull a fast one and cripples the unlimited data plan, AT&T is still faster in overall terms than Verizon, since LTE is not so widespread yet, the networks you fallback to will be faster on AT&T than Verizon

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Kauai said:
I saw and read that.

Doesn't seem like the same thing.

I may be wrong, of course. I don't know much about it.

I've never had an AT&T iPhone or iPad.

Will the 'iPad 1 AT&T Unlimited Data sim' on ebay work for me with a new AT&T iPad 3?

*For 4G.
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It probably will, there's no reason for it not to, since people grandfathered into the unlmited data plan can also use it on other LTE devices on AT&T (Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket and such). 90% chance it will, and if it doesn't you can always just get the $50 plan.
 
Kauai said:
Got the AT&T one.

While Verizon is very decent and has awesome LTE coverage at an early point in the game, AT&T has LTE in all the big cities I visit and has HSPA+ where I am right now which makes it worth it for me.
Click to expand...

I guess it is easy to forget about the HSPA+ support since my iPhone 4 doesn't have it. I think.

I figure it will probably be a year before LTE comes to my home on ATT, though Verizon has it.

I think that Verizon would be better if I do more traveling in rural areas. I know that Colorado was bad for ATT for me.
 
Wait till AT&T unlimited data would a reason to stay. I do not think AT&T would mess with you since there are so few of these plans arround.
 
Kauai said:
I saw and read that.

Doesn't seem like the same thing.

I may be wrong, of course. I don't know much about it.

I've never had an AT&T iPhone or iPad.

Will the 'iPad 1 AT&T Unlimited Data sim' on ebay work for me with a new AT&T iPad 3?

*For 4G.
Click to expand...

I would believe so, if the referenced post is correct. an iPad 1 unlimited data sim would only work if the grandfathered plan is still active when you take it over, since once the plan ever lapses you can't reactivate it.
 
I'm so confused on all these letters :p
I bought a verizon iPad today, now if I travel to an area where there is no 4G LTE, will my ipad go to 3G, just like my iPad 2?
 
Any thoughts/words on new AT&T ipad owners and the plans for it? I am particularly interested if AT&T will let you use the hotspot - i.e $50 plan for 5Gb and you get to turn on the hotspot.

thanks
 
Buildbright said:
Wait till AT&T unlimited data would a reason to stay. I do not think AT&T would mess with you since there are so few of these plans arround.
Click to expand...

I hope not, I'm super excited now since I still have my Unlimited plan going.

iPad 1 to iPad 2 was easy, I just swapped the SIM, I'm assuming since the iPad 3 will need one of the newer LTE SIMS to work on LTE that I'll have to get AT&T to switch the account over to the new SIM though. That makes me a little nervious.

I try not to get AT&T involved with my account, I don't have much trust in them to even get a simple request right.
 
sdsvtdriver said:
Verizon's LTE has had 3 major outages so far. Can't be touting reliability with Verizon at this point.
Click to expand...

Do you have an LTE device? Have you used for a long period of time?

Well I have and do and I can tell you it is very robust. It has had three outages but they are laying out a new network at break neck speeds. All At&t does is just sit on spectrum and try to buy T-Mobile because they are lazy. Verizon actually develops there spectrum. Only time will tell who is the best but you could not pay me to use At&t.

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vertigo235 said:
I hope not, I'm super excited now since I still have my Unlimited plan going.

iPad 1 to iPad 2 was easy, I just swapped the SIM, I'm assuming since the iPad 3 will need one of the newer LTE SIMS to work on LTE that I'll have to get AT&T to switch the account over to the new SIM though. That makes me a little nervious.

I try not to get AT&T involved with my account, I don't have much trust in them to even get a simple request right.
Click to expand...

Being a minority can be a good or bad thing. This time it is good because At&t can look like a kind and giving telcom without much loss to profits.
 
AT&T iPad: LTE (700, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Verizon iPad: LTE (700 MHz); CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz); UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

So, it's either AT&T (coverage OK and OK prices + fast speeds (LTE, H+ and 3G)) or Verizon (coverage GOOD and OK prices + fast LTE (Slow 3G if no LTE :()

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puckhead193 said:
I'm so confused on all these letters :p
I bought a verizon iPad today, now if I travel to an area where there is no 4G LTE, will my ipad go to 3G, just like my iPad 2?
Click to expand...

Yes sir, as long as there is 3G coverage in the area :)
 
I would go with Verizon's LTE iPad.

It's more widely available in the US and it's faster than AT&T's LTE (from my experience)
 
sdsvtdriver said:
Verizon's LTE has had 3 major outages so far. Can't be touting reliability with Verizon at this point.
Click to expand...

Until you have tried Verizon LTE network, one shouldn't say too much. ATT is just re-branding their 3G+, to read 4G. How silly is that? All marketing here. I used to have iphone 4s on att. I did live in a 4G area just like their coverage map said. I would only get about 2-3 mbps on download during the day. How in the heck is that hspa+? Verizon LTE in my area is about 30 mbps on down. Huge difference in what they are calling 4G.

As for the unlimited data, I think you guys are good till ATT figures way to throttle you to make more money of you. :D Give it a few months.
 
I got the AT&T version. It has more speed options.

AT&T: GSM, HSPA+, LTE
Verizon: Ev-Do, LTE

Speed (slowest to fastest):
Ev-Do, GSM, HSPA+, LTE

So an LTE outage on Verizon drops you to snail speeds. With AT&T, an LTE outage only drops you to HSPA+. Both of AT&T's fall backs are still a lot faster than Verizon's one fall back. Plus, AT&T has Wi-Fi hotspots almost everywhere.
 
Vz vs att

FWIW,

My experience after having both IPADS/IPHONES on VZ and ATT (in my area of the country):

VZ has been more reliable.

I have a Verizon LTE MiFi and it rocks. Usually 10 down/5 up VERY consistently.

VZ plans on expanding to everywhere they have 3G now by the end of 2013. They will have all interstates and metro areas covered by the end of this year (from what I remember).

If you know someone that has a Verizon LTE device, have them show it to you to see what kind of speeds they get.
 
Buildbright said:
Do you have an LTE device? Have you used for a long period of time?

Well I have and do and I can tell you it is very robust. It has had three outages but they are laying out a new network at break neck speeds. All At&t does is just sit on spectrum and try to buy T-Mobile because they are lazy. Verizon actually develops there spectrum. Only time will tell who is the best but you could not pay me to use At&t.
Click to expand...


Yes I have. Verizon will always be the best managed network due to internal factors, including culture, that prioritize this initiative. My comment was specifically in response to your "stability" statement. Outages != stability regardless of the state of the competition.
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Apple Expert said:
Until you have tried Verizon LTE network, one shouldn't say too much. ATT is just re-branding their 3G+, to read 4G. How silly is that? All marketing here. I used to have iphone 4s on att. I did live in a 4G area just like their coverage map said. I would only get about 2-3 mbps on download during the day. How in the heck is that hspa+? Verizon LTE in my area is about 30 mbps on down. Huge difference in what they are calling 4G.

As for the unlimited data, I think you guys are good till ATT figures way to throttle you to make more money of you. :D Give it a few months.
Click to expand...

Who said this is a Verizon vs AT&T debate? Oh, you. I guess I have to take AT&T then. Ok, I'd take 2-3MBps HSPA+ over EV-DO rA until Verizon has an LTE iPhone.
 
The only thing I think is a advantage for AT&T is if you want to use an At&t wifi and not LTE. At&t knew there network was crap so they built the biggest sponsor wifi network ever.
 
I bought the new iPad with Verizon because it covers 2 or 3 times more areas with its LTE including my hometown …. Louisville, KY. BTW, it also carries LTE for Lexington, KY. But, I probably will use it only when traveling on vacations. Verizon is suppose to really ramp up its LTE coverage area by the end of 2013.
 
I called AT&T and I can change over from my mifi to the new iPad. They said they are supporting hotspot.
 
Went with Verizon

I went with the Verizon iPad for a simple reason - I'm sticking with AT&T for my iPhones for the foreseeable future, and at least my iPad will work in those areas where AT&T is crap.
 
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