Yesterday i’ve reported about the 3G connectivity issue in Verizon iPad 2. Today, an Apple Spokesperson has confirmed the issue to All Things Digital; “We are aware that a small number of iPad 2 customers have experienced connectivity issues with the Verizon 3G network and we are investigating it,” the company said in a statement.
The Apple Support Discussion boards list five pages discussing the problem. Wi-Fi functions work well enough, but 3G connections either take several minutes or never occur at all. While there’s no clear evidence that all Verizon iPad 2 users face the same problem, the complaints coming in from those affected are very similar. When the Verizon iPad 2’s 3G function is deactivated, it will not reactivate or connect without a reboot. Switching the device in and out airplane mode has no effect.
Apple launched the iPad 2 last month with three models: WiFi only, WiFi and AT&T-compatible 3G, and WiFi and Verizon-compatible 3G. The new device drew record lines, though some readers reported that the Verizon iPad 2 was selling out more slowly than the WiFi only and AT&T models.
AT&T customers do not appear to be experiencing the connectivity problem.
The partnership between Apple and Verizon was minted relatively recently. Verizon began selling the iPad at its retail stores last October, though it sold the WiFi only version of the device bundled with a MiFi Mobile Hotspot device.
After years of AT&T iPhone exclusivity in the U.S., Apple and Verizon launched the iPhone 4 in February. Verizon later announced that the iPhone 4 set a record for the largest handset launch in the company’s history.
The Verizon connectivity issue isn’t the only problem that customers of the iPad 2 are facing. Early adopters of the device noted freezing issues with the FaceTime video chat feature.
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