iPad Low Network Coverage
Low network coverage on an iPad is a common complaint; it's quite a wide topic and includes poor 3G and 4G coverage and signal, this article will cover a selection of issues and potential fixes. WiFi issues will be covered in a future article.
Carrier Coverage
The most common issue is coverage on the iPad, is not really an issue with the iPad at all, it's just the level of coverage the carrier provides. I'm not going to cover moving outside or to a window as I feel this is obviously a simple and free method of getting a better signal. I am going to mention the location of the 3G antenna, it runs along both sides of the front facing camera, behind the screen and covering this area with your hands can reduce the signal strength. Something else to consider is that large amourlike metal cases can also affect the signal strength. Anyway, back to carrier coverage, if you have suddenly experienced a drop in 3G or 4G signal you should check on your carrier service status page as this should report any issues in your area. You should also keep an eye on your carrier's coverage map, this will allow you to plan which areas will have coverage when travelling. Coverage in an area doesn't always remain consistent, it can improve as carriers add additional 3G and 4G masts but it can also be reduced by local interference, new structures and it's not that uncommon for carriers to remove the occasional mast entirely.
The carrier's coverage plays a huge role in your iPad connectivity experience, the carrier coverage map should be one of the first things to check when deciding to change carrier. T Mobile's 4G coverage isn't as comprehensive as Verizon's, however T Mobile is adding customers at its fastest in years, whereas Verizon and AT&T are no longer growing like they once were, this could have a dramatic change on the level of coverage T Mobile provides as its expands to keep up with its growing customer base. Verizon's network may have more coverage but AT&T is faster. A recent study published by PCMag found that AT&T has the fastest 4G LTE network in the United States, although Verizon's network was more reliable. PCMag tested all four major carriers in 30 cities, using eight identical smartphones.
So which is more important to you, coverage or speed? AT&T's LTE network is only available in 32 cities, compared with Verizon's LTE network of 200 cities. If you're based in one of AT&T's 32 cities and travel within these 32 cities then AT&T would be the better option, however if you live elsewhere or travel a lot and prefer improved reliability, Verizon may be more suitable. You can check the coverage of each using the Verizon coverage map http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?coveragetype=datacoverage4g or the AT&T coverage map http://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html.
Software Issues
Software issues can often cause problems with the 3G and 4G on iPads and other IOS devices. The first test is to ensure you are in an area with good coverage by testing using another device. Ensure the battery is sufficiently charged and turn off Bluetooth and Wi Fi. The iPad status bar is not always the most reliable check for coverage, open Safari and close all tabs, open a new tab and test with at least two well known websites. The iPad cache can hold a local copy of a website so ensure it is a website you have not visited before; Googling an obscure term is a good test. If neither of the websites load, try toggling airplane mode under settings then perform the test again. If this did not work, try turning off LTE to see if this solves the problem. Some people have had success by turning off the following: Compass Calibration, Diagnostics & Usage, Genius for Apps, Location Based iAds and Mobile Network Search, all are available under Settings âEUR" Privacy âEUR" Location Service. Disabling the PIN number often seems to restore the signal. Some apps can cause some elements of the iPad to hang, the Facebook app will often hang and causes âEURoeno serviceâEUR
Carrier Coverage
The most common issue is coverage on the iPad, is not really an issue with the iPad at all, it's just the level of coverage the carrier provides. I'm not going to cover moving outside or to a window as I feel this is obviously a simple and free method of getting a better signal. I am going to mention the location of the 3G antenna, it runs along both sides of the front facing camera, behind the screen and covering this area with your hands can reduce the signal strength. Something else to consider is that large amourlike metal cases can also affect the signal strength. Anyway, back to carrier coverage, if you have suddenly experienced a drop in 3G or 4G signal you should check on your carrier service status page as this should report any issues in your area. You should also keep an eye on your carrier's coverage map, this will allow you to plan which areas will have coverage when travelling. Coverage in an area doesn't always remain consistent, it can improve as carriers add additional 3G and 4G masts but it can also be reduced by local interference, new structures and it's not that uncommon for carriers to remove the occasional mast entirely.
The carrier's coverage plays a huge role in your iPad connectivity experience, the carrier coverage map should be one of the first things to check when deciding to change carrier. T Mobile's 4G coverage isn't as comprehensive as Verizon's, however T Mobile is adding customers at its fastest in years, whereas Verizon and AT&T are no longer growing like they once were, this could have a dramatic change on the level of coverage T Mobile provides as its expands to keep up with its growing customer base. Verizon's network may have more coverage but AT&T is faster. A recent study published by PCMag found that AT&T has the fastest 4G LTE network in the United States, although Verizon's network was more reliable. PCMag tested all four major carriers in 30 cities, using eight identical smartphones.
So which is more important to you, coverage or speed? AT&T's LTE network is only available in 32 cities, compared with Verizon's LTE network of 200 cities. If you're based in one of AT&T's 32 cities and travel within these 32 cities then AT&T would be the better option, however if you live elsewhere or travel a lot and prefer improved reliability, Verizon may be more suitable. You can check the coverage of each using the Verizon coverage map http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?coveragetype=datacoverage4g or the AT&T coverage map http://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html.
Software Issues
Software issues can often cause problems with the 3G and 4G on iPads and other IOS devices. The first test is to ensure you are in an area with good coverage by testing using another device. Ensure the battery is sufficiently charged and turn off Bluetooth and Wi Fi. The iPad status bar is not always the most reliable check for coverage, open Safari and close all tabs, open a new tab and test with at least two well known websites. The iPad cache can hold a local copy of a website so ensure it is a website you have not visited before; Googling an obscure term is a good test. If neither of the websites load, try toggling airplane mode under settings then perform the test again. If this did not work, try turning off LTE to see if this solves the problem. Some people have had success by turning off the following: Compass Calibration, Diagnostics & Usage, Genius for Apps, Location Based iAds and Mobile Network Search, all are available under Settings âEUR" Privacy âEUR" Location Service. Disabling the PIN number often seems to restore the signal. Some apps can cause some elements of the iPad to hang, the Facebook app will often hang and causes âEURoeno serviceâEUR
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