Here is the situation – you?’ve just purchased an iPhone 3G with the intention to use it on Vodafone NZ on prepay. Your wallet weights next to nothing now, but excited and aroused by the fact that you are holding an iPhone with 3G, of course, you ought to try out the much hyped ?"mobile internet?". You launch Safari web browser on your phone, ogling your screen with expectancy, only to realise that ?"Could not activate cellular data network. PDP authentication failure.?" is an error message, its no Google.
The problem lies within a phone setting called Access Point Name (APN – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Access_Point_Name). It is just an address to connect to your network’s internet provider. And if you are not on a monthly mobile broadband plan, this setting is not properly set.
To fix this:
- Connect your iPhone to the internet through Wi-Fi.
- Lunch safari and navigate to http://www.unlockit.co.nz/. The site contains a configuration profile that changes your APN settings to the proper value, in this case, it is www.vodafone.net.nz.
- Follow the instructions and select the ?"Allow Data on any SIM?" option. If you are not with Vodafone NZ, there is an option to generate a custom APN profile.
- You will then be presented with a screen to install the profile. Tap ?"Install?".
- Turn off your iPhone and then turn it back on. Under Settings -> General -> Network, make sure ?"Enable 3G?" and ?"Data Roaming?" is set to on, and then switch off Wi-Fi.
- Enjoy.
If necessary, this profile can be removed under Settings -> General -> Profile.
Thanks unlockit.co.nz!
