Those purchasing third-generation iPads running on Verizon’s LTE network on Friday may be in luck when it comes to carrier compatibility. A MacRumors forum member has discovered that the Verizon iPad can run on AT&T’s 3G network simply by swapping out the iPad’s Micro-SIM and updating the device’s carrier settings.
“I was one of the first to obtain a Verizon iPad and can happily confirm that this is allowed! I used my ATT iPhone 4S sim card and took out the Verizon sim, and data worked! You must apply the AT&T APN carrier settings before this works though,” a user named jsnuff1 wrote. He also included a video (embedded below) to prove his claims.
The discovery is simultaneously surprising and not—as we noted this week, both the Verizon and AT&T iPads are capable of roaming on GSM networks worldwide even though Verizon’s own frequencies are not compatible with GSM networks. It was believed that the Verizon iPad would be locked to Verizon’s CDMA and LTE networks here in the US but only roam on GSM networks when outside of the country, but Apple apparently chose to leave the device unlocked even within the US. The Verizon iPad can’t be used to surf on AT&T’s LTE network, however—it can only make use of AT&T’s 3G, HSPA+, and EDGE networks when the Micro-SIM is swapped out.
It’s worth noting that the AT&T iPad most likely cannot perform the same swap in the reverse due to Verizon’s CDMA network, which AT&T doesn’t support. We have reached out to AT&T for comment and are currently waiting on a response.
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Verizon iPad found to be compatible with AT&T's 3G network
