Iphone being charged GPRS data rates when using SMS

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Iphone being charged GPRS data rates when using SMS

axiomatic

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#19054 3-Feb-2008 17:24

Hi guys

I am currently a prepay customer on the Vodafone network. I also have the TXT2000 addon (and yes I do have remaining messages). I was so happy when i got my iphone 5 days ago. But the problem im having with it is that im being charged GPRS data rates for sending just SMS messages. I topped up 3 days ago and since then I have not used any of the services that require network usage (eg. maps, safari browser, weather, mail etc). I consistently check my network usage under: Settings > Usage > EDGE network data and I can see that my sent data is slowly going up (maybe 1KB per 3 SMS messages on average) and received data does not change. I am being charged about 10 cents per SMS message im sending.

I have rung vodafone 3 times about this and I have all spoken to different C.S.Rs and managers and all they can say is that I should make sure that I am not connected to any email account. When I first got the phone I did setup my email, and it was setup to check the mailbox MANUALLY. But for the last 2 days I have completely removed the details of my account on the phone and it still hasnt changed anything. Plus vodafone cannot tell me if its incoming or outgoing GPRS traffic.

Iphone firmware: 1.1.2
I am connected to my home Wi-fi
Data Roaming is OFF
My APN is BLANK

Any Ideas? Is anyone else having this problem?

johnr

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#108327 3-Feb-2008 17:34

Not sure why you would need a manager! You use a imported cracked handset you run these risks! The issue does not happen with SIM in another handset only when you put SIM in the iphone.

Also if you have no APN in the handset it will still default to default APN on the network!

You should be getting support from place of purchase ONLY! not Vodafone NZ

Check under message settings and make sure its using a CSD connection NOT packet data!

John

cokemaster

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#108329 3-Feb-2008 17:52

I'm sorry to say, but with imported phones its one of these risks. You don't know whats running on the device, it may be 'phoning home' to report usage stats which would normally be zero rated on its home network but not Vodafone NZ.

It is strange that its still connecting despite the APN being blanked out, but because its a 3rd party, untested handset - what can Vodafone do? They only provide the connection, its up to your phone whether it utlises it. One possible way is to get GPRS barred at the switch, in saying that. If you purchase a device tested and supported by Vodafone, this would be a different discussion, but the iphone is not one of these phones.

John and I have been in the same boat before, with an ChinaMobile Sony Ericsson P910c. Fun times. The lesson of the day was, use imported or non supported handsets at your own risk.

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nzbullet

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#108335 3-Feb-2008 18:25

Go into your settings and add the following as your APN "www.vodafone.net.xx" That way when it trys to connect it woun't be able to because the APN will be wrong. I do this and IF I need to use GPRS I just change the "xx" to "nz" for the time I am using it.

Note:- This is not garunteed to work. All I can say is it works for me.

I do agree with John and Cokemaster - it is not Voda's fault, the iPhone is imported and hacked. They don't and more than likely won't support it in anyway, it's a risk we run and you can't bash Voda for that.

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axiomatic

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#108343 3-Feb-2008 18:55

@ johnr

My old phone did have options to change the message settings CSD or GPRS (defaults as CSD). I dont think there is an option on the iphone to do it.

@ cokemaster

When i talked to one of the C.S.Rs, they did mention of turning off some sort of GPRS switch at their end and they did say that it is not guaranteed to work. From my point of view it hasnt or maybe I havnt given them enough time.

@ nzbullet

I will try to use an invalid APN.

Thank you guys for your input. I guess I was disloyal to them...I just needed someone to vent at. I do have a mate that has an Iphone but he works at Vodafone...hence free GPRS usage. Its just strange how on the first 2 days i could use it fine with zero credit but when i topped up...the credit just goes to never never land.

cokemaster

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#108345 3-Feb-2008 19:12

Its definitely possible to disable it. I have it set up on my postpaid (on account) mobile.

The problem is re-enabling it (when I was wanting to do some testing, three calls later no GPRS access.

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freitasm

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#108347 3-Feb-2008 19:23

axiomatic: @ johnr

My old phone did have options to change the message settings CSD or GPRS (defaults as CSD). I dont think there is an option on the iphone to do it.

The CSD or GPRS SMS option is not valid or used on the Vodafone network.

burr

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#108362 3-Feb-2008 21:23

Um, im not sure if SMS sends through the GPRS, but if you want to turn the GPRS off, install netservices, and turn off edge setting.

Have alook here:

http://homepage.mac.com/hartsteins/copycoders/Blank.html

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Robsterino

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#109296 8-Feb-2008 15:01

I also have an iPhone and am experiencing the same thing. GPRS charges of 10c per time although I have turned off all settings enabling data transfer. It seems that "don't get an unautherised phone" is like saying it's OK for corporates to rip people off. If I'm not uploading data, I don't expect to be charged as so.
If there is an answer to the problem (perhaps Vodafone could come up with something as they are the ones making the charges) I'd be eternally grateful to hear of it.

johnr

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#109298 8-Feb-2008 15:19

Robsterino: I also have an iPhone and am experiencing the same thing. GPRS charges of 10c per time although I have turned off all settings enabling data transfer. It seems that "don't get an unautherised phone" is like saying it's OK for corporates to rip people off. If I'm not uploading data, I don't expect to be charged as so.
If there is an answer to the problem (perhaps Vodafone could come up with something as they are the ones making the charges) I'd be eternally grateful to hear of it.

you clearly have not read this thread its not a vodafone issue its your issue. End of story

cokemaster

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#109307 8-Feb-2008 16:44

John is correct

Vodafone provide a service (ie GPRS)
Vodafone charge you for using a service (ie. 10c for 10kb)

Vodafone also provide handsets that have been tested and works with their service

Vodafone cannot cover for imported or untested phones as they haven't tested them or have any control over the firmware. If your phone is 'phoning home' after each sms - is that Vodafones problem or yours?

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Robsterino

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Wannabe Geek

#109320 8-Feb-2008 19:08

Is this a forum to look at solutions or to pat Vodafone on the back for all the great work they do?

I won't know if my iPhone is 'phoning home' as, i would imagine, is also the case for anyone else as Vodafone seem unable to explain the charges either. They did recredit my account to a degree though which is great. I was just looking for a more permanent solution. I am guessing that no one has one just yet.

johnr

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#109323 8-Feb-2008 19:32

Robsterino: Is this a forum to look at solutions or to pat Vodafone on the back for all the great work they do?
I won't know if my iPhone is 'phoning home' as, i would imagine, is also the case for anyone else as Vodafone seem unable to explain the charges either. They did recredit my account to a degree though which is great. I was just looking for a more permanent solution. I am guessing that no one has one just yet.

Easy solution

Used approved handset with correct software and you will not have these issues!

Can't get more simple than that

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#109325 8-Feb-2008 19:40

Robsterino: Is this a forum to look at solutions or to pat Vodafone on the back for all the great work they do?
I won't know if my iPhone is 'phoning home' as, i would imagine, is also the case for anyone else as Vodafone seem unable to explain the charges either. They did recredit my account to a degree though which is great. I was just looking for a more permanent solution. I am guessing that no one has one just yet.

There's no "pat in the back".

You bought an imported handset. You don't know what it is doing behind the scenes. You are rude to people who pointed out this is not Vodafone's fault at any rate.

You are to blame yourself.

I am locking this discussion because I am tired of people who create their own problems and then accuse others.