I have an iPad 3G and am running into an issue with my 3G connection.

I make heavy use of my iPad on Wifi where it operates without issue. From time to time I use it on 3G. I did just update to iOS 4.3.

The problems is that the 3G connection appears to be highly intermittent in operation.

The iPad is used on the Telecom XT network in NZ. This is a pure 3G-only network.

Typically, I would see full bars (or near full bars) reported by the iPad, yet a lot of the time it will not connect to the Internet. The best example would be Safari indicating it can't connect because it is "not connected to the internet". Sometimes resetting the network settings, or restarting the iPad alleviates the issue temporarily but it invariably occurs again and again.

What Ive tried and other important information:

The issue occurs in two separate locations I have tested in. One being in the Auckland CBD and another in a suburban area. Both areas indicate 4 or 5 bars. I am operating an iPhone 3GS on the same network in both locations without any issues like this.

I have had my network provider replace the SIM card to check if there is a problem with the sim card. I've tried removing the SIM and re-inserting it several times.

I'm using the recommended APN by my provider which is internet.telecom.co.nz. I have also experimented with direct.internet.co.nz and wap.telecom.co.nz with the same results.

The connection is set to "Automatic". I've tried specifying the mobile network "Telecom NZ" directly which has no affect on the issue.

The mobile network connection is a pre-pay connection. It has available credit on it.

Finally, I have completed a full restore of the iPad to factory settings. The problem still occurs.

I have cross-posted this issue on the Apple forums at:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2789679&tstart=0