New iPad and polish LTE networks

Lukas Rox Hardware, Mobile, Tablets , , , ,

EDIT: This post is about 3rd gen iPad (“The New iPad”). For information about 4th gen iPad (“iPad with Retina”) please check this post.

In just three days Apple will begin selling their newest iPad in Poland. If you were looking forward to the LTE feature however, you will probably be disappointed. Fear not; the new iPad has still much better mobile baseband than it’s predecessor.

Let’s have a look at the details.

The new iPad baseband specs

According to the new iPad Tech Specs on apple.com, it’s baseband (the 4G built in modem) is capable of using the following networks:

  • GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
  • UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
  • 4G LTE (700, 2100 MHz)

As you can see, the new iPad can use 2G and 3G networks just like iPad 2, but there is one small detail, which makes the new iPad better: the DC-HSDPA (it’s sometimes called HSPA+ DC). This is a dual carrier HSDPA network, which allows transfers of up to 42Mbit/s. This is definitely better than “normal” HSDPA, which only offers 7,2 MBit/s.

But wait, there is LTE in Poland, isn’t there?

The answer is yes, there is LTE. Unfortunately right now all the carriers, who rolled out LTE network in Poland use the 1800 MHz band. This is not good for the new iPad, because it can only operate in 700MHz and 2100 MHz bands.

Polish carriers are unlikely to use either of these bands for LTE in foreseeable future, because the 2100 MHz band is currently occupied by the fast HSPA+ DC 3G networks. These networks are rather new, so the probability that any carrier swaps them with LTE soon is rather slim.

Current HSPA+ networks in Poland:

 

5 thoughts on “New iPad and polish LTE networks”

  • Martin
    February 21, 2013 at 04:22
    Permalink

    If you go to Apple’s web site, look at the specs for iPad. There are two models. Take a look at model A1460 which supports LTE bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25. Band 3 is the 1800 band which is used by Mobyland / Centernet mobile for LTE in Poland. Any reason why a sim card from either of those guys in an iPad A1460 wouldn’t give you LTE service?

    • Lukas RoxPost author
      February 21, 2013 at 07:54
      Permalink

      Hi Martin and thanks for your feedback! Yes, what you said is true and I have covered it in this post: http://pozniak.pl/wp/?p=5995

      The post above is out of date, because it is about the 3rd gen iPad (“The New iPad”), which does not support LTE band 3.

  • Bonny
    March 1, 2013 at 21:47
    Permalink

    Hello, I need some advise regarding micro SIM card for the new ipad. From which local carrier I I will be able to buy micro SIM card while visiting Poland. Reading some comennts it looks like Orange

Comments are closed.