iPad in UK - Vodafone

[manuelw]

Newbie question. I have a client with an iPad 1, 64GB with Mobile Broadband. It was purchased in the US. We have not activated service with AT&T. The user travels to the UK often and wants to use the Vodafone broadband network on the iPad there. He brought it to the Vodafone store, they popped out the AT&T SIM and popped in a VOdafone SIM, but they couldn't get it activated.

Do we have to "unlock" or "jailbreak" the iPad for this to work? How do I do that?

If it's going to risk damaging or reducing functionality of the iPad, he'll probably just buy a new iPad in the UK.

Thanks,

 

[chscag]

Does Vodafone use the same frequencies and broadcast method that AT&T uses here in the US? If any of those are different, it won't activate. However, he still should be able to use it on wireless.

And moved your post to the correct forum.

 

[manuelw]

Vodafone does both GSM and CDMA in the UK, and it is listed on Apple's iPad page as an iPad 3G carrier.
Select - Apple Store (UK)

 

[chscag]

Yes, I understand that Vodafone is a 3G carrier, however, not all 3G carriers use the same frequencies to provide 3G. For example: Here in the US T-Mobile is a 3G carrier but the iPad and iPhone will not work on their 3G network because of the broadcast frequency differences.

If everything is the same - that is if Vodafone is compatible with AT&T - then there should be no problem activating the unit.