Can a 3G iPad make full use of 4G ?

[jwt873]

Right now, there is only one carrier in my area that provides wireless access... They use 3G. (they call it 3.5G)..

A new carrier is coming on line here around the end of January 2011.. They will be supplying 4G connectivity. Can the iPad adapt to 4G and use the higher speed, or will it limited by firmware/hardware to 3G speeds?

 

[deckyon]

3G is 3G. The iPad will only connect at 3G speeds.

 

[Pocobear]

Think of it this way, you won't burn up your data plan quite so fast on 3g vs. 4g and that might just keep you out of the poor house a little longer.

 

[jwt873]

I figured it was hardware so 4G won't work on a 3G only device. Perhaps we'll see 4G with the iPad II. I searched for 3G/4G device compatibility and there are lots of explanations about the advantages of 4G over 3G, but nothing on device compatibility.

And yes.. It will burn up data a lot faster.. But it's only money.. Can't take it with you I've got a 5 GB per month plan.. I rarely go over 1 GB...

 

[mackindesouza]

I think 3g is good for 3g. For 4g is not so good.

 

[Digikid]

No it cannot.

 

[Superbike81]

However, if you get 4G service through something similar to a Mi-Fi device that acts as a wireless access point, yes, you can take full advantage of the 4G speeds. Your iPad will just see it as a wireless network, it doesn't care how it's getting the data speed, just that it's getting it.

 

[BarkingGhost]

Ha! I was going to PM the original poster on this, but my newbie post count hadn't hit six yet. Too funny, but I get the necessity.

 

[slothead]

This is a good question, and a lot of it depends on what changes in the Generation change (the "G" in 3G and 4G stands for Generation). I have know idea what the telecomm "3G" and "4G" abbreviations really mean. If anyone has a knowledgable definition of AT&Ts or Verizonwireless' definition of these (and not just a guess), please point me toward that. I'm guessing that it involves protocol, carrier frequency and data modulation method.

I seriously doubt that any machine that is designed to talk in 3G probably can't talk 4G unless it is also so designed.

 

[xune]

However, if you get 4G service through something similar to a Mi-Fi device that acts as a wireless access point, yes, you can take full advantage of the 4G speeds. Your iPad will just see it as a wireless network, it doesn't care how it's getting the data speed, just that it's getting it.

QFT

Unlimited mobile 4G speeds for your iPad> Clear Spot | Personal Mobile Internet Hotspot | Clear.com

 

[mtsconverter]

Sprint has iPad 4G, Way way Faster than iPad 3G.

 

[slothead]

Sprint has iPad 4G, Way way Faster than iPad 3G.

How does one acquire Sprint iPad 4G service?

The Cellular Data plan that appears on a 3G device under settings/Cellular Data is set to work with AT&T isn't it?

Is Sprint's 4G different than AT&T's 3G (it seems it would have to be if it is "Way way faster")?

In fact what is referred to here as "iPad 3G", is it AT&T's or Sprint's?

 

[Superbike81]

Just do a quick Google search for "Sprint iPad 4G." They have been offering the service for quite a while. It's just a Sprint made iPad case that holds one of their 4G access points. So you use your Wi-Fi only iPad with their case and access point and you get 4G via Wi-Fi.