iPad 2 gets same quad-band 3G as iPhone 4
Just like the iPhone 4 before it, the feature I wanted most from the iPad 2 was support for 900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA in its 3G chipset. And just like the iPhone 4, the UMTS/GSM version of the 3G-enabled iPad 2 delivers, with the same quad-band support as the iPhone 4.
The original iPad (and the iPhone 3G and 3GS) supported three frequencies for high-speed 3G access: 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz. If a wireless provider's 3G network didn't operate at one of those frequencies, the iPad or iPhone would then fall back on EDGE, or worse yet, GPRS, at 850, 900, 1800, or 2100 MHz. In countries whose wireless providers chose to run wide swaths of their 3G networks at 900 MHz, this meant older iOS devices would have extremely slow connections anywhere outside areas running at 1900 or 2100 MHz.
As an example, my old iPhone 3G would drop to GPRS anywhere outside the central areas of major cities here in New Zealand, because my wireless provider's "extended 3G" network operates at 900 MHz. The iPhone 4 supports 900 MHz, greatly expanding my local 3G coverage compared to older iPhones, and the same will be true of the iPad 2 compared to the original iPad. As a matter of fact, the original iPad's lack of support for 900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA was one of the main reasons I didn't buy it.
Now that the iPad 2 has the same quad-band 3G capabilities as the iPhone 4, this is no longer an issue. Almost all wireless providers worldwide operate their 3G networks at a frequency now supported by the iPhone 4 and iPad 2, meaning US owners of the AT&T 3G iPad can travel internationally with few worries about network compatibility.
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Source: http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
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Just like the iPhone 4 before it, the feature I wanted most from the iPad 2 was support for 900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA in its 3G chipset. And...
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So each country is likely to have some problem or other due to their geography, lack of coverage or whatever. Most people accept that coverage will not be perfect and many like me would be glad just to own one and wouldn't bother much about the coverage problems.
March 06 2011 at 9:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFirstly Chris, hope that you and yours have not been too badly affected by the recent events down in Christchurch.
Secondly, keep up the posts from NZ, as a lot of the GSM/3G-related iDevice quibbles apply to the MANY readers of TUAW from the Asia Pacific region. Most of the Philippines (where I travel a lot on holidays) is generally well covered by the local mobile carriers, but I know what it's like when phones drop down to GPRS because the bands are different.
Just a small correction: There is no GSM 2100 actually. The highest frequency band GSM is specified to work on is around 1900 MHz, so the iPhone 4 radio uses GSM 850/900/1800/1900.
March 06 2011 at 7:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyTechnically you're right, there is no GSM 2100, but UMTS operates in 850, 1900 and 2100. "UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA" is the 3G-capable evolution closely related to GSM and the iPhone 4's chipset allows those connections. Apple's tech specs direct from their site:
Cellular and wireless
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
I know, but I was only talking about GSM, so what UMTS bands are supported by Apple was irrelevant to what I had to say, my statement did not deny if and what 3G support any product has. :)
March 06 2011 at 8:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI love the covers! They are sooooooooooo much better than the iPad 1 cover!
March 06 2011 at 4:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replydoes this mean that US users can get TMobile 3g on iPhoone 4 if it's unlocked?
March 06 2011 at 3:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI will by the white with the largest memory and 3G. Will buy it in Apple Store in Valencia I think.
March 06 2011 at 2:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCool story bro. Is that where those oranges come from?
March 06 2011 at 2:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyExactly. Valencia i the main area for organges in Spain. And they are lovly! Furthermore, it is only 100 km from La Vila and thus the nearest Apple Store to our Spanish company.
March 06 2011 at 3:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThere is also talk (and been approved by the EC) that Europe will have 3G on 900Mhz soon, so this is good news for more people in the future..
March 06 2011 at 11:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAll those bands and it still doesn't work on T-Mobile US
March 06 2011 at 10:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYep, very disappointing for T-Mobile users.
March 06 2011 at 4:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"meaning US owners of the AT&T 3G iPad can travel internationally with few worries about network compatibility"
Our phones are locked to AT&T by default; the amount of people that have access to an unlock and have the money to afford abroad trips is slim, lol.
The iPad on AT&T is unlocked.
March 06 2011 at 10:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyTwo points:
1) As already pointed out, the iPad is NOT locked.
2) Even for devices that are locked, you have to use a local provider's network when you travel, it's called roaming (and AT&T charges an arm and a leg for it). Thus the support for additional networks is relevant even for locked devices like an AT&T-subsidized iPhone.
Chris, great you are in New Zealand. It's a wonderful country to live in, but I don't really care about your very specific NZ problems with Apple gear. I also don't care whether you enjoy your cellphone carrier or not - it's an issue only 1 million people on the whole earth could possibly be interested in. Of those probably only 5 or so read TUAW. So please stick to stuff that is relevant to us all and quit the NZ whining.
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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