[caseycasebeer]

According to the advertisements starting/stopping cellular data is as easy as 1-2-3. My experience is that it's not quite that easy.

We have a 32GB Verizon iPad3 with LTE, GPS chip, etc.

Over the past two year's I have started/stopped cellular data twice, and both times stopping 'data has fried the SIM card. Hmmm ... what was I doing wrong?
(NOTE: When you fry the SIM card you must go to a Verizon "corporate" store to have a new one installed. The local Verizon "corporate" store is near the RadioShack store on 27/441.)

Last week I fried the SIM for the second time and decided to investigate.

Here's what we learned:
- Call Verizon and have them SUSPEND (not CANCEL) cellular data to your iPad. Your suspension will be limited to 5mos (or 12mos ... we receive conflicting answers) before the Verizon SIM self destructs regardless of what you do. They want your business, but if you restart cellular data for a month or more before your SIM self-destruct's, this supposedly restarts your 5mos without service interval.
- If you choose to stop cellular data on your own, be sure to choose the "Deactivate Later" option and you will supposedly be able to restart within 5mos without a problem. We haven't tried a self-restart yet, so stay tuned. If you choose the "Deactivate Now" option it will immediately fry the SIM.
- When you reactivate Cellular Data select PREPAID (versus POST PAID) service tends to be better (but I didn't note the exact differences).

Bottomline: Several online forums tend to agree that the ease of Starting/Stopping cellular data isn't what it's advertised to be. Several commentor's have used the term "bait-and-switch," and suggest that the situation seems ripe for some kind of class action law suit.

I have no idea if AT&T iPAD's are subject to the same issues.

...anxious to hear about other folk's experiences in this regard.

Best,
Casey&Mary