Can't use smartphone features with overseas SIM
 

I recently got a new G2 (HTC Desire Z outside the US) with t-mobile in the US. I got an unlock code with no problems, and have been pretty happy with the phone overall for the last 6-8 weeks that I've had it.

I'm now on my first overseas trip, and put in a local SIM (orange pay as you go) that I've had for years. I specifically changed my plan to one that gave 100MB of data if one bought £10 call credit and topped up. However, I've been completely unable to use the data feature of my phone since I've been here. It can connect to wifi without issue, and as long as I've got a wireless signal, I can use all of the features of the phone (except wifi calling, which is expected, since I'm not using a t-mob us sim). However, if I'm out and about, I don't seem to be able to use the data feature at all. I've tried fiddling with the settings, although I'm a complete novice and not really sure what I'm doing (this being my first ever smart phone).

Any help would be appreciated. I have a number of international trips coming up, and always get a local SIM card, since I want to avoid roaming charges. If I can't use this feature of my phone, I'll be highly irritated!

Thank you, and Happy 2011!

tb

Did you change your connection settings to match that of Orange?

Yeah, sounds like you need to change your APN (Access Point Name).

Settings > Wireless and Networks > Access Point Names > Menu > Add.

You'll need to Google the APN specific for your plan. Be aware that the same operator may have 4 or 5 different APN's.

Thanks....google is not quite my friend...yet. But this has certainly pointed me towards the right direction. Orange CS is pretty bad, but I might give them a call in the morning if no joy by then.

tb

From a quick search this page: suggests the following settings.

1st Level Orange CS is in India and do anything you can to be transferred to someone in the UK, the 1st level guys/gals are not really that great if you have a technical question.

Thanks...I did try a few of these last night, but none worked. Part of the problem may be that there isn't an "MMS protocol" option on my APN drop-down menu...the option following MMS port is MCC, skipping the MMS protocol. Clearly, my phone doesn't think it needs it, but perhaps orange thinks it does?

tb

apn settings for HTC desire Z
 

OK, phoned orange CS -- the Indian CSR didn't have a clue when I mentioned "APN" and I didn't elaborate on what that meant so that I would be kicked up to level 2 support. They had it sorted in a jiffy. I think that I had not put the "default", thinking it was default.

I'm posting the APN settings for orange pay as you go for the HTC Desire Z (T mobile G2 in the US) in case anyone else might come looking for them. I don't think it makes a difference, but I'm on the "dolphin" call tariff. Entries are case specific.

tb

Name: whatever you like
APN: orangeinternet
Proxy: <not set>
Port: <not set>
Username: <not set>
Password: <not set>
Server: <not set>
MMSC: <not set>
MMS proxy: <not set>
MMS port: <not set>
MCC: 234
MNC: 33
Authentication type: <not set>
APN type: default

Well very glad that it is now working for you, I had a BlackBerry problem with my old one that I was giving to someone else. I spent an age on the phone to India who had no idea what I was talking about and kept getting me to try different things for regular mobiles. I soon realised that they either missed that I had a Berry and an email problem or were generally clueless about the differences between phones. I ended up calling back because they were so useless and spoke to someone else in India, they clocked that it was a Berry and that they wouldn't be able to help at all, and passed me through to a lady in the UK who understood what was wrong and despite me saying that it should work from here on, she insisted on waiting until the test email had popped in to the inbox.

I'm switching my PAYG BIS from Orange to T-Mobile though as it is £20 cheaper a year - hope the CS is as good.

Of course you can also avoid romaing charges, but still have a mobile phone by carrying around a local MiFi device, and using your T-Mo WiFi calling. I did this in Tokyo and it worked a treat. Even better if you have Google Voice, because I was able to make local (landline) calls to Tokyo at 2c per minute. Cannot beat that. Much better than messing with a local SIM and a new number :-)

When I'm in the UK, it's really important for me to have my local number (people do call me aswell, and they're not going to call a US number). Google voice allows me to check my US voicemail easily. But this would be a feasible option for countries one is in transiently. However, aren't the costs of a MiFi much much more than a local SIM? And does one need a different mifi in every country, or will one do for all countries?

tb

Usage determines best solution
 

If you are there longer term and need a local number then yes, a SIM card is the way to go. I have only short term trips 2-10 days abroad and having a local number is less important than having my US number active. I don't buy a MiFI, which would also require a SIM card, I just rent locally.