Verification failed" while setting up new ipad

I’m trying to set up a newly purchased iPad A16 via my iPhone 15 which initially works, but when entering the password (for the apple account) correctly, the new iPad keeps giving “Verification failed: there was an error connecting to the Apple server”. This happens during the setup stage itself. So none of the online suggestions about setting time or making changes in "Settings" apply here. 

At that point the setup is stuck as it doesn't move forward to downloading anything from icloud or transferring from my phone.

The password is correct, and I even changed and tried again.

The online suggestions are all for *working* devices. Can someone point me to recommendations for new devices (ipad) being setup, suffering this error?

Many thanks.