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Verizon or AT&T LTE iPad?

I bought a 64GB Verizon new 4G iPad this afternoon and just cancelled the order and placed order for AT&T model instead. 3GB for $30 AT&T vs. 2GB for $30 VZW. VZW coverage is somewhat better in NC but it pisses me off VZW is charging so much more for data. Still uncertain if I'm making right decison:confused:
I guess I will return for other carrier model if something changes between now and delivery date. Too bad Apple can't simplify things for us by selling a universal model. I called VZW and they said they had no info yet on data plans for new iPad. WTH?
 
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One thing I am extremely curious about is the who carrier lock. Is it or is it not? I bit the bullet and bought the AT&T model because I prefer it over Verizon but here is what gets me.

Wi-Fi + 4G for AT&T model:
LTE (700, 2100 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Wi-Fi + 4G for Verizon model:
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)

Highlighted in bold is the differences between the two models. If I was to buy the LTE Verizon why wouldn't I be able to use AT&T on 3G or even T-Mobile or Sprint?

What I really have a feeling of is that both AT&T and Verizon are identical in hardware and that Apple really just disabled certain features to force carrier locks. The iFixIt break down will only confirm this.
 
It looks like carriers and Apple would have locked down specific rate info so people could make an informed decision when pre-ordering carrier-specific models!:mad: Also, calling 3rd Generation iPad "the new iPad" is just dumb. How are we supposed to know which model is being referred to 2 years from now? Almost seems like they couldn't agree on a name before announcement date although I know this can't be true. At least Pre-order process seems to have gone smoothly on first day.
 
Here are my thoughts (hopes to be honest). The Verizon iPad CAN fall back to AT&T 3G if you put an AT&T SIM in it. My reasoning for this?

First of all the website itself says: "Both the ATT and Verizon model of iPad can roam worldwide on GSM/UMTS networks. In countries without compatible 4G LTE networks, the new iPad will operate on GSM network technologies such as HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA. When you travel internationally, you can use a micro-SIM card from a local carrier."

I'm choosing to include the US in "worldwide".

Second: The iPad 2 much like the the Verizon iPhone 4 does indeed have a chip capable of GSM but does NOT have the radios activated. Just look at the specs. It's only EVDO so comparisons back to the iPad 2 might not be valid or make much sense. Comparing to the 4S with all the same hardware just different "activated" radios is also a bit tricky as again, pop in a SIM in say Europe and you're fine. They only lock out the local carriers. Other side to that argument? Even the unlocked Verizon version doesn't work on AT&T inside the US. That being said, these are different chips and purposes so who knows?

Third: iPad's have generally always come unlocked. They simply lacked the all in one radios AND SIM trays in the past to make this co-existence a reality. So why not? Of course all of this might just be to make myself feel better for going the Verizon route because of better LTE coverage in my area.

Disclaimer: I'm just a regular guy, I don't have inside info or work for Apple or something. I just posted this for arguments sake. I may be wrong so please feel free to correct me, other than that? Discuss, tell me what you think. Thanks!

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Oh and touching on this part of the Apple note: "When you travel internationally, you can use a micro-SIM card from a local carrier."

I think that is simply there because the Verizon model comes with a Verizon SIM and the AT&T an AT&T SIM in the box and that's just to avoid confusion with that more so to say it won't in the US.
 
One more note for arguments sake, would you be able to pop in a Verizon SIM on the AT&T model and use 4G but just not be able to fall back to EVDO if coverage were to spread too thin? Since they both use at least 700? Just things that make you wonder. Thanks.

EDIT: Well that answers that one.

/http://www.dailywireless.org/2011/11/08/53688/
 
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I am really tempted to cancel my AT&T pre-order to go for a Verizon but there is too much lack of information. Only speculation.
 
Bit odd that they both don't AWS bands for LTE since both AT&T and Verizon intend to use their AWS spectrum holding in addition to their 700MHz holdings.

Granted, 2100MHz on ATT, but no 1700??
 
Both companies are evil, let's face it guys.

However, one has to be lesser of the two. AT&T 3G was the slowest rollout I've ever witnessed. It was quite painful. EDGE is useless. They carefully show their coverage map with voice and data, data including 3G, EDGE, and LTE. They're F-O-S. I've had every iPhone on AT&T and the last iPad, I went with Verizon.

I remember being in the Everglades looking up places to go on the iPad and couldn't even make a phone call on my AT&T iPhone. AT&T goes for population density and Verizon goes for coverage. It's that simple.

They figure they'll go the cheap, duct tape route and squirt a little blue on top of a big city and cover 3 million.
 
Ok so internationally you no longer have the lack of GSM, HSPA etc etc problem with a local SIM for 3G by going Verizon. The drawback is that you only get the 700Mhz band and the AT&T gets 700 and 2100.....so by my estimation once LTE gets rolled out over the world in the next 2-3 years if you want to use LTE abroad, you would be restricted to only one band internationally, and I have no information as to which band will predominate abroad...will it be a mix? It seems odd to me that Verizon gets one LTE band in the US and AT&T gets 2--isn't that a big advantage over the long term?
 
MarlboroLite said:
Ok so internationally you no longer have the lack of GSM, HSPA etc etc problem with a local SIM for 3G by going Verizon. The drawback is that you only get the 700Mhz band and the AT&T gets 700 and 2100.....so by my estimation once LTE gets rolled out over the world in the next 2-3 years if you want to use LTE abroad, you would be restricted to only one band internationally, and I have no information as to which band will predominate abroad...will it be a mix? It seems odd to me that Verizon gets one LTE band in the US and AT&T gets 2--isn't that a big advantage over the long term?
Click to expand...

Wasn't the 700mhz the better band since it works better in buildings and faster data transfer? Wasn't the lower mhz better for wireless data?
 
I will find out if I shot myself in the foot. I cancelled my AT&T order and ordered a Verizon. I will throw my iPhone sim in when I get it and see if I get anything.
 
I'm so confused that I pre-ordered both the ATT and the Verizon iPads. I will end up returning one of them, I'm just not sure which one. I have unlimited data on my iPhone with ATT...but this will be my first iPad. I have a total of four phones on my ATT family plan, and I really wish data sharing were a possibility.

I checked both carrier's coverage maps, and both show some 4G availability in the Charleston SC area. I just want to make the best decision...and since the data plans are essentially the same price, speed and reliability are the main factors. I'm just not sure which carrier will be best for those.

Any thoughts or advice for an iPad noob? :eek:
 
Apple Expert said:
Wasn't the 700mhz the better band since it works better in buildings and faster data transfer? Wasn't the lower mhz better for wireless data?
Click to expand...

Typically, lower frequencies allow for quicker buildout of networks as the signals propagate further than higher frequencies.

So, initially 700 MHz will be great for Verizon as they'll be able to build a solid network with less base stations (e Node Bs, or eNB).

However, lower frequencies are not so great when the network loads up with traffic - there's too much interference because those signals are going further. When you have a lot of users, you want the higher frequencies. Yes, you have to install more eNBs to get coverage, but they can be a lot smaller and a lot cheaper.

Tradeoffs are everywhere, but since Verizon doesn't have much spectrum in the higher frequencies, they could be in trouble relatively soon - 2-3 years from now.
 
It all depends on the area you'll use the wireless radio. I'm used to be partial towards AT&T just because I prefer GSM over CDMA, and AT&T's 3G is faster than EVDO. However, when I travel to different cities, I find that AT&T's actual data connectivity to sux balls. I have an iPhone 4, an 3G is great where I'm at, but seems to suck everywhere else. I mean what's the point of faster speed if you cannot even get connectivity? Even worse, even in my area, anytime there's a crowd of people (eg. a local event, etc), AT&T's 3G data is dead regardless of bars. Knowing this, and the fact that Verizon version is a world model (having GSM/HSDPA too), I'm going for Verizon.
 
Not sure if this has been posted yet, but according to several sites, the Verizon iPad comes with wifi hotspot functionality at no extra charge. No word yet on ATT.

I went with Verizon because of US coverage and the new ability for it to be worldwide compatible. Speed tests seem to be hugely fluctuating. Some are getting better results on Verizon. Some are better on ATT. Probably depends on many more factors than just carrier i.e device being used, time of day, location, city, crowds, etc.

My only concern is will ATT ipads have better LTE coverage internationally because of the extra bandwidth channel?
 
as of right now the way i see it i was skeptical on which to get and finally ended up with verizon, my iPhone 4s is att my area is not the best for att however i do know verizon is much better in my area so that makes me think verizon could be faster but att network is fast as well but i would think it all depends on how many bars you get in your area i could be wrong tho since i never owned a 3g/4g iPad before so if i'm wrong my apologies... also from what everybody told me verizon would be a much better choice since i live in the bay area.
 
ordered a Verizon one. They have great LTE coverage (I have an LTE galaxy nexus already) in every part of the country i've recently been to).

Also by the time AT&T builds up their LTE network, there will probably be a new iPad released.

From the description it seems like the verizon ipad will come GSM unlocked also (probably won't be able to use it on AT&T though.

This is what it says on the apple web page:

"The new iPad offers the most comprehensive support for fast networks around the world. It’s designed with two cellular antennas tuned to 12 different bands that access a larger frequency spectrum. That means you can travel almost anywhere in the world and get online. And your connection is always fast. iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G models for AT&T and for Verizon connect to GSM/UMTS networks worldwide. But if you want a local connection when you’re traveling, just pop in a local SIM card."

To me it sounds like it is being advertised as SIM-unlocked.
 
I am going with Verizon because AT&T has no LTE in Portland, OR. At all.

Check your coverage first. AT&T LTE is sparse.
 
Ok so I know in the keynote it said for LTE up to 74Mbps. Now my wifi at home gets me 50Mbps for the 60-75% of the iPads use. Other percentage is 3G. BUT if I'm going to be getting over 50Mbps with LTE I'll certainly get the LTE.

So what are the realistic speeds if any yet are the LTE tests showing on these?
 
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