iPad Tmobile SIM card on iPad?

jocampo · 02-16-2011, 08:04 AM

An easy one for you guys.

I do have the ipad wifi and still playing with it or trying to convince myself if keep it and return my DX or not.

Anyway, my question would be, for the 3G version, can I use my Tmobile data plan/SIM? Also, if removed, will the device keep working or using wifi instead?

HarryT · 02-16-2011, 03:18 PM

Assuming that your iPad is not "locked" to a particular carrier (those sold in the UK certainly aren't), it should work fine with any 3G provider. Do remember, though, that it uses a micro-SIM, not a full-size SIM.

jocampo · 02-16-2011, 03:21 PM

Ohhhhhhhhh... good point, thanks! I don't remember which type of SIM my Galaxy Tab uses, I do need to check.

Thanks Harry..

DixieGal · 02-16-2011, 03:28 PM

I don't know about Tmobile, but I got the Verizen 4G mifi for Christmas. I have the wifi iPad without 3G. The mifi hotspot works like a dream.

jocampo · 02-16-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I don't know about Tmobile, but I got the Verizen 4G mifi for Christmas. I have the wifi iPad without 3G. The mifi hotspot works like a dream.

I think I need more coffee!

You're 100% right, I can convert/use my GT as access-point and no need to take SIM card in or out.

susan_cassidy · 02-16-2011, 03:57 PM

I'm pretty sure that US iPads are locked to the carrier you buy them for.

Maggie Leung · 02-16-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

I'm pretty sure that US iPads are locked to the carrier you buy them for.

I bought one at a U.S. Apple store and one at a Best Buy, both unlocked.

susan_cassidy · 02-16-2011, 04:13 PM

Great! Now, if I ever get to Europe again, maybe I can get a micro-SIM for the iPad while I'm there.

jocampo · 02-16-2011, 04:40 PM

The one I have is wifi and from Best Buy, but the seller wanted to sell the 3G and unlocked. Maybe new ones are being sold unlocked already, not sure, or maybe depends of the carrier or the store.

By the way, wife got disappointed with the iPad which is good and bad ...

... means, if I keep it, I will "hijack" it and/or use it for more time than expected. But I must admit it hurts my eyes if I use it for too long.

Dylrob · 02-17-2011, 07:33 PM

From what I understand the iPad's only recognizes AT&T's 3G frequencies, and will fall back to 2G if used on a carrier like T-mobile.

HarryT · 02-18-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylrob

From what I understand the iPad's only recognizes AT&T's 3G frequencies, and will fall back to 2G if used on a carrier like T-mobile.

I'm not at all sure what you mean by that. 2G and 3G use the same "frequencies". My iPad certainly doesn't use AT&T (because I'm in the UK!) and it most assuredly works with 3G (with O2, in my case).

FourOhFour · 02-18-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm not at all sure what you mean by that. 2G and 3G use the same "frequencies". My iPad certainly doesn't use AT&T (because I'm in the UK!) and it most assuredly works with 3G (with O2, in my case).

T-Mobile USA's 3G is on a weird set of frequencies; the iPhone and iPad will only work with 3G off on T-Mobile. (EDGE works fine)

HarryT · 02-18-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FourOhFour

T-Mobile USA's 3G is on a weird set of frequencies; the iPhone and iPad will only work with 3G off on T-Mobile. (EDGE works fine)

So it's actually a case of the iPad NOT recognising TMobile's frequencies, rather than ONLY using AT&T's frequencies? Thank you for the clarification - that makes sense.

jocampo · 02-18-2011, 11:47 AM

Yeah,

I just forgot that. I actually change SIMs on my cellphone when I travel to South America but I was on AT&T; recently changed to Tmobile so wife and I can be on same plan.

I did not know about the kind of freq. iPad uses for 3G though, thanks.

Found this interesting link: http://thetravelinsider.info/roadwar...bandphones.htm

Jabreal53 · 02-22-2011, 06:39 AM

well sure it is going to work only if u do have a micro sim as the usual full size sim will definitely not work with it. Apart from that, it must work with any 3g service provider without any probelms. And again, make sure ur phone is not locked.

02-16-2011, 08:04 AM	#1
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	Tmobile SIM card on iPad? An easy one for you guys. I do have the ipad wifi and still playing with it or trying to convince myself if keep it and return my DX or not. Anyway, my question would be, for the 3G version, can I use my Tmobile data plan/SIM? Also, if removed, will the device keep working or using wifi instead?

02-16-2011, 04:40 PM	#9
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	The one I have is wifi and from Best Buy, but the seller wanted to sell the 3G and unlocked. Maybe new ones are being sold unlocked already, not sure, or maybe depends of the carrier or the store. By the way, wife got disappointed with the iPad which is good and bad ... ... means, if I keep it, I will "hijack" it and/or use it for more time than expected. But I must admit it hurts my eyes if I use it for too long. Last edited by jocampo; 02-16-2011 at 04:43 PM.

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02-16-2011, 03:18 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Assuming that your iPad is not "locked" to a particular carrier (those sold in the UK certainly aren't), it should work fine with any 3G provider. Do remember, though, that it uses a micro-SIM, not a full-size SIM.

02-16-2011, 03:21 PM	#3
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	Ohhhhhhhhh... good point, thanks! I don't remember which type of SIM my Galaxy Tab uses, I do need to check. Thanks Harry..

02-16-2011, 03:28 PM	#4
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I don't know about Tmobile, but I got the Verizen 4G mifi for Christmas. I have the wifi iPad without 3G. The mifi hotspot works like a dream.

02-16-2011, 03:57 PM	#6
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	I'm pretty sure that US iPads are locked to the carrier you buy them for.

02-16-2011, 04:13 PM	#8
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	Great! Now, if I ever get to Europe again, maybe I can get a micro-SIM for the iPad while I'm there.

02-17-2011, 07:33 PM	#10
Dylrob Murderous Mustela Posts: 10,159 Karma: 47508528 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The other land of schnitzel and beer Device: iPad M1 Pro, Kindle Paperwhite	From what I understand the iPad's only recognizes AT&T's 3G frequencies, and will fall back to 2G if used on a carrier like T-mobile.

02-18-2011, 11:47 AM	#14
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	Yeah, I just forgot that. I actually change SIMs on my cellphone when I travel to South America but I was on AT&T; recently changed to Tmobile so wife and I can be on same plan. I did not know about the kind of freq. iPad uses for 3G though, thanks. Found this interesting link: http://thetravelinsider.info/roadwar...bandphones.htm

02-22-2011, 06:39 AM	#15
Jabreal53 Banned Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Jabreal53	well sure it is going to work only if u do have a micro sim as the usual full size sim will definitely not work with it. Apart from that, it must work with any 3g service provider without any probelms. And again, make sure ur phone is not locked.

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