iPad, Tablets & eReaders

[davidm]

How would I activate wifi channels 12 and 13 on the BB Playbook?

[XL]

Does the network SSID not appear when you do a scan near the router?  I thought channels are set by the network router, while the Playbook scan all the channels.

[mtrump]

Most likely you can't.  Channel 12/13 are not licensed in North America; alllowing the activation of these bands on US/CAN products would be a violation of government (FCC) rules.

[davidm]

[EDIT: This is a reply to mtrump's reply. I am new to this forum and assumed that my post would automatically show what I am replying to.]

Many thanks for your reply. The point you make is the reason why I asked the question.

Wifi devices designed for travel usually have some means of enabling the channels used in countries other than the country of purchase. If the device has both wifi and cellular capabilities, the switch can be automatic: the device finds a local cellular network, deduces which country it is in, and enables the appropriate wifi channels.

BB PlayBook resembles the old Nokia tablets (770, N800, N810) in not having direct cellular capability. On the Nokias, it is possible to execute a root command that temporarily changes the regulatory domain. (It reverts to FCC or other original reg on reboot, so that switching off for takeoff on the flight home will ensure compliance on arrival.)

I would really like to buy a PlayBook, but only if it is fully capable for international use. I had a very frustrating time in the UK with a Nokia tablet before I learned how to enable the local wifi.

[mtrump]

If this is truly what you want, you'll need to buy a PB from Europe.  Even then there is no guarantee Euro-based PB can work with channel 12/13.  There are plenty of people on Apple's discussion forum have indicated that their Euro Macbook or iPads cannot operate on those channels.