Which 3G ipad for service in Brazil

[Rudinater]

Looking at picking up a Ipad 2 with 3G here in the states for a family member that lives in Brazil.

Will either the AT&T or Verzion 3G model work with a service provider in Brazil?

Thanks

 

[Dream]

I would say ATT since its GSM.

 

[Tim SPRACKLEN]

Looking at picking up a Ipad 2 with 3G here in the states for a family member that lives in Brazil.

Will either the AT&T or Verzion 3G model work with a service provider in Brazil?

Thanks

Thanks to the previous poster. Verizon uses a 'protocol' (the way the phone communicates with the base station or cell tower) known as CDMA (fall asleep unless you're a geek - Code Division Multiple Access) whereas AT&T uses GSM (engage geek mode - well, there's a long history here because the original meaning of GSM was French (Groupe Spécial Mobile) but now it's been transformed to 'Global System for Mobile communication').

Only the US uses CDMA so, if you want to use your iPad outside the US you need GSM - even Canada uses GSM. Much of the US (AT&T) is GSM too, so you won't have any problem if you're in the US with a GSM 'phone or iPad.

So, for Brazil, you absolutely need the AT&T version - I've just had a post from a Forum member who is in exactly the same position and who bought a Verizon 'phone and is now trying to sell it...

Tim
Scotland

 

[Rudinater]

thanks for the replys,

AT&T is the one i need.

Thanks

 

[riptide]

Looking at picking up a Ipad 2 with 3G here in the states for a family member that lives in Brazil.

Will either the AT&T or Verzion 3G model work with a service provider in Brazil?

Thanks

Thanks to the previous poster. Verizon uses a 'protocol' (the way the phone communicates with the base station or cell tower) known as CDMA (fall asleep unless you're a geek - Code Division Multiple Access) whereas AT&T uses GSM (engage geek mode - well, there's a long history here because the original meaning of GSM was French (Groupe Spécial Mobile) but now it's been transformed to 'Global System for Mobile communication').

Only the US uses CDMA so, if you want to use your iPad outside the US you need GSM - even Canada uses GSM. Much of the US (AT&T) is GSM too, so you won't have any problem if you're in the US with a GSM 'phone or iPad.

So, for Brazil, you absolutely need the AT&T version - I've just had a post from a Forum member who is in exactly the same position and who bought a Verizon 'phone and is now trying to sell it...

Tim
Scotland

That's not entirely accurate!

Many mobile carriers in other countries also use CDMA. GSM is the most popular and somewhat of the standard for international use. Thailand for example have operators in both CDMA and GSM.

China Telecom in China does CDMA too as well as Mexico and Canada. list of countries with CDMA here

As for Brazil, Vivo (one of the mobile network operators in Brazil) as of right now do support CDMA however they have recently announced that they are migrating to GSM and will stop supporting CDMA in September 2011.

So going with GSM (AT&T's) is the correct choice and the recommended choice for any international travelers.

cheers.