[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

[Sable99]

Mom and I have Verizon cellular data on both of our iPads. She has an iPad 4 and I have the iPad 3. I fried her SIMM card when i recently turned it off. I took her iPad to our local Verizon store and they waived the $5 or $6 cost for a new card. The store actually had to call their 800 number and that tech gave me a phone number to call them directly to activate and de-active cellular data so it wouldn't happen again.

In fact, we are on our way back to Michigan now. i am taking a break from driving. So, I am riding in the back seat on TOTV using my iPad's cellular data! Gotta love it!

[caseycasebeer]

Sable99,

Did the Tech mention anything about the 5mos or 12mos thing?

Also, if you have the direct telephone number I would appreciate having it (the person I talked to in the store didn't give me the number).

...be careful on the highway!

Best,
Casey

[baustgen]

No problem with my ATT

[Sable99]

Originally Posted by caseycasebeer

Sable99,

Did the Tech mention anything about the 5mos or 12mos thing?

Also, if you have the direct telephone number I would appreciate having it (the person I talked to in the store didn't give me the number).

...be careful on the highway!

Best,
Casey

The tech didn't say anything about the 5 month or 12 month thing. And a very good friend of mine is a "Verizon geek" and she has never mentioned it to me. My Mom is 89 and they may have given her the number as it would be easier for her to switch back and forth. She has two Verizon numbers written down and I'm not sure which is the correct one: 1-800-256-4646 and 1-800-786-8419.

I wrote the number down but its in Michigan and we are spending the night in Tennessee I can get the number that I wrote down when we get home tomorrow.

Sable99