Need PiPo Tablet Setup Information for AT&T Network

[geofferyh]

I just got my M8Pro 3G tablet from PiPo with default APN setup for using AT&T.

Name: ATT
APN: broadband
Proxy: Not Set
Port: Not Set
Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password: CINGULAR1
Server: Not Set
MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS Proxy: wireless.cingular.com
MMS Port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 410
Authentication type: Not Set
APN Type: default,supl,mms
APN protocol: IPv4
APN enable/disable - APN enabled
Bearer: Unspecified

My problem is that it will only connect to the EDGE 2G network, which is way slow. The modem specs for this 3G tablet are as follows:

1. Standard SIM Card Slot
2. HSPA/WCDMA: 2100/900MHz
3. GSM/GPRS/EDGE Quad band: 850/900/1800/1900
4. Download maximum: 7.2Mbit/s
5. Upload maximum: 5.76Mbit/s

In working with AT&T Tech Support we find that the provisioning system can not ID the IMEI number. Therefore, no APN settings from AT&T.

I am thinking that if provisioning could be setup for a similar tablet we might get this working properly. I have tried several APN setups but nothing will let me get beyond EDGE 2G.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[grenefroggie]

Most of AT&T's 3G network runs on 1900mhz. This is likely the main cause of your problems. In some areas it does run on 850/2100mhz, but I am willing to bet you are not located in one of those areas.

 

[geofferyh]

Did you not notice that the published specifications in the English Users Manual provide for 1900MHz operation? Its setup for international use.

Look again,
HSPA/WCDMA: 2100/900MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE Quad band: 850/900/1800/1900

The problem is that the AT&T provisioning system does not recognize the IMEI number. I simply do not have any response from the seller or the factory in order to hopefully correct the problem. I have emailed both.

 

[grenefroggie]

Did you not notice that the published specifications in the English Users Manual provide for 1900MHz operation? Its setup for international use.

Look again,
HSPA/WCDMA: 2100/900MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE Quad band: 850/900/1800/1900

The problem is that the AT&T provisioning system does not recognize the IMEI number. I simply do not have any response from the seller or the factory in order to hopefully correct the problem. I have emailed both.

So if AT&T's 3G(WCDMA)/HSPA runs on 1900Mhz in most areas, and your device only supports for GSM/GPRS/EDGE on 1900Mhz and 3G/HSPA on 900/2100Mhz, you would have to be located in an area that supports 900/2100Mhz for 3G/HSPA to work.

Maybe I am wrong. What tells you that the AT&T provisioning system isn't recognizing the IMEI? I am not trying to be a hard ***, just trying to understand I guess.

 

[geofferyh]

A number of tablet manufacturers are now offering 3G capable tablets. However, trying to get the tablet to work in 3G mode can be a frustrating experience to say the least.

Here in the USA there are four primary players in the mobile networks arena, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint. AT&T and T-Mobile operate WCDMA Band Networks, while Sprint and Verizon operate CDMA Band Networks.

From what I have seen thus far here in the USA the typical tablet with an internal 3G radio operates using the WCDMA band frequency's. If I use the PiPo 3G tablets as an example only, the printed M8 User Manual specifications are outlined as follows:

HSPA/WCDMA: 2100/900MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE Quad band: 850/900/1800/1900

All this simply means that the tablets are supposed to be totally suitable for use on an international basis. However, as they say, "There is a fly in the ointment".

First, in the USA the choice of carrier is limited to either AT&T or T-Mobile because only they support the WCDMA (HSPA & EDGE) 850/1900 frequency bands.

Second, note that the tablet only supports the Edge (2G) 850/1900MHz frequency bands, but does not support the WCDMA (HSPA) 3G 850/1900 frequency bands. And, in the case of my PiPo M8pro tablet, based on its IMEI number, the AT&T provisioning system identifies it as a 2G device of "Unknown Manufacturer" and "Unknown GSM".

For the most part, to be able to utilize other than the very slow EDGE (2G) networks, you will now need to have a tablet that supports the 4G T-Mobile 1700MHz band or AT&T 2100MHz band. It is my opinion, that at this time there is no 3G advertised Chinese tablets that will work satisfactorily in the USA.

 

[grenefroggie]

Okay. I see where you are going with the IMEI. That is rather unfortunate and I wish I knew of a way to help you out with that. I don't own any foreign devices and have no experience in that area.