Hi guys,

I am using an iPhone 3G, with a Vodafone prepaid SIM - TXTer bundle/prepaid plan.

I would like to get some data access on it, not via GPRS but via 3G.

I have paid for the "Extras Pack" which is specific premium content and mobile internet credit.

Do I need a new SIM, to connect to 3G? I assume not because I can enable the 3G setting on the iPhone (enabled by default) and it shows "3G" in the iPhone's menu.

Whenever I try to access the internet though, it says that I have no cellular network subscription. I cannot change the APN either because it is not an unlocked handset. I have been slugged for GPRS usage before ($1 per 5 minutes) but not on the iPhone 3G handset (only on the iPhone 2G handset) and so I assume this is the same as 3G.

Any ideas?

I have tried:
1. Wireless ON. Obviously internet works (home internet, WiFi).


2. Wireless OFF. 3G ON. Does not work.


3. Wireless OFF. 3G OFF. Does not work (GPRS).

Where are you living? Does Vodafone offer 3G in your area?

Yes I am in a 3G coverage area. Sydney.

Is it because I'm on prepaid and cannot access my APN? I'm sure this is related to it since on other phones you'd need to enter vfinternet (APN) and so on.

I am unable to do this because it is a locked Vodafone handset and I have not paid the $75 unlocking fee.

Is it ok to bump this?

I guess I'll have to request a network unlock ($75) to be able to edit my APN hopefully, to make use of the Vodafone 3G network (internet).

Shame... once unlocked maybe I'll pack up and switch carriers.

Yep, $75 seems the only way to get the APN. I've done it for my Optus and moving over to 3.

A bit of extensive reading tells me the Extras pack isn't the best deal with $1 per five minute block. Have you considered the $30 Plan with Vodafone? It includes 100MB + $30 per month.

Also, try going GENERAL > RESET > RESET NETWORK SETTINGS.
I did that for my Optus and 3G FINALLY got working.

have you called vodafone?

it sounds like your sim dosent have the APN assigned to it.

maybe this is a way that vf stops prepaids, but you would think they would be happy to take your money hand over fist getting stock prices

call vf. they should be able to assign the apn.

*all optus sims have the correct apn assigned to them at the network side.

Yes that is correct - Extras Pack is $1 for 5 minutes on GPRS or 3G.

It is expensive but I'm on prepaid. I don't want to go on a prepaid cap (monthly) because I really don't use the phone that much ($30 a month is still too much for me, believe it or not). I use half that at most. Maybe $5-10.

I'll reset network settings in a second... got a phone interview coming up so I'd rather not stuff around with it right now.
Cheers I will give them a ring after. I don't have faith in them though, for some reason. At least when I mention I am using an iPhone 3G on their network.

Being a former Vodafone prepaid user (until the iPhone 3G came out), I know for a fact that Vodafone prepaid accounts are ONLY able to access web content. You CANNOT access any regular internet content. This means, no email, iTunes App Store or any other non HTTP traffic. I'm not sure how they restrict it, but I tried everything on my old Nokia to get around it with different APN settings and never had any luck.

You're better to switch to a post paid plan to include data access in your plan. Voda will also supply you with a 3G sim card so you can take advantage of the faster network.

Ouch.

I've been on prepaid for about half a decade with Vodafone.

Do I really need a "3G" SIM? I thought I could use my existing SIM - and enable 3G mode on the iPhone. It seems to change the reception so I guess it is working? I am in a 3G coverage area (Sydney).

And I was about to pay for the unlock, just to access the APN settings...

UPDATE
Yes! Sweet Jesus it works!
Thank you antman - all I had to do was Reset Network Settings.

3G and EDGE (GPRS) now work on Vodafone prepaid! Extras Pack ($1 for 5 minutes... but it works!).

Hopefully I won't be sending/receiving data every 5 minutes... otherwise I am out of credit.

Yeah, wasted two hours sitting at an Optus store and they did nothing. Went home and did a reset and it worked

I am in EXACTLY the same situation as you regarding prepaid etc. I use around $15 a month, and was on 60 day texter with Vodafone and suited me well. Then I bought an outright iPhone with Optus unlocked, so now I have to pick which will give me the best data deal rather than calling deal. Three seems the best, wasn't so sure about the extra pack with Vodafone as it seems a bit expensive when I want to check my emails every hour.

I'm pleased you've got it working... but be very careful with their $1 for 5 minutes thing. I was on the Talk & Text plan, they didn't transfer it over to the iPhone plan properly, and within 4 days I had unbilled charges of $350. I guess is you're prepaid you won't run up huge bills, just run out of credit. Somehow it doesn't seem to close the session properly, so some of my usage showed 2kb downloads for $30 as the session was open for an hour. My vodafone rant thread here.

Well I just blew $4 just then.

I get charged $1 for 5 minutes, so I was testing it just then (seeing if I got a Vodafone IP, which I did) then some bandwidth tests (about 80KB/s) etc... and tested out GPRS which is heaps slow as expected.

I took up around 20 minutes so there goes $4.

I'm hoping once this "mobile internet" credit expires ($1 left!) it won't eat into my normal account credit, but I have a feeling it will. So I'm keeping a careful watch over my usage (meter readings) and credit online.

I'm currently on TXTer 60 days as well, 60 free SMS each time I top up ($30 over 60 days, so $15 a month for 30 days). I don't use it much either, just some TXTing every now and again more than calls.

I bought an outright iPhone with Vodafone (DSE) but they stopped. I'm going to unlock it eventually for $75, maybe less when the online unlock comes out (Voda website).

Extras Pack with Voda is definitely expensive, and I would like more data rather than timed usage... but I just topped up with $30 credit so now I have another 60 days. I'd rather not port and swap to Optus or whatever (prepaid) because of the hassle of porting.

I've been stung before! $60 worth of credit, gone in about 3 days... I first got the original iPhone and was using it normally. Not realising that GPRS was enabled and Mail was sucking up credit.

$1 for 5 minutes is very steep. I was just hoping to have it as 'backup' plan in case of emergencies like if I ever get lost I'll still have mobile internet to get me to safety.

Prepaid is different as you've mentioned. I just don't want to run out of credit because I just topped up yesterday with $30 which should last me the next 2 months (usually does, with left over!).

I will reset my Usage Meter (on the iPhone) frequently so I'll know that it should be at 0.0 kb sent and received.

Porting takes 3 hours - just make sure you have your DOB correct with Vodafone [they had mine wrong!] Otherwise, it's a pretty easy process.

I'll probably wait for the 16GB outright with Vodafone, port my number BACK to Vodafone and go on the $30 per month for 100MB. I'll sell my unlocked 8GB in that case, and for now, I might temporarily move over to Three with $29 monthly cap + $8 for 100MB = $37 a month.

So data works on Vodafone, just it's horribly over-priced? Damn!

Pay to unlock that phone and go on Virgin or Optus

Sounds like a lot of phone calls and switching around!

I'm not game for that. As much as it makes sense, I can't afford to have my phone 'down' or ported across (done it once before, Virgin to Vodafone).
That is correct. Initially the data was not working under 3G or GPRS/EDGE. Hit the Reset Network Settings button and boom, it works.

Only that $1 for 5 minutes of usage (GPRS and/or 3G) is hurting me. I just lost $4 for 20 mins of usage. That's about week's worth of phone calls/SMSes for me... seriously.

Unlocking right now is $75 over the phone.
I am hoping/waiting for the online unlocking procedure to go live, which will be $25 less (no need to talk to someone).

Therefore I'll save $25 and it'll be $50 hopefully... to unlock with Vodafone. Then may switch to Optus or Virgin, assuming I can forfeit my Vodafone 'goodies' that I've accumulated (about 50 hours of 20c calls to Vodafone customers and 1 hour of free calls after 8pm to any mobile, plus the sweet call rates such as 1 second billing and 20c flagfall... ).