Singtel charge Data Roaming even when DATA Roaming is off on iPhone ?!?

[skyblueblue]

Recently my wife switch from M1 to Singtel. Since she doesn't really need the Data plan she opted for the iTwo Plus instead of the iFlex.

She has been holding on to a iPhone when on M1 and used the same iPhone for Singtel without changing any setting. Data Roaming was always off and uses only Wifi

Just got the Singtel bill and to her horror she was charged $115 of data usage alone.

I called Singtel and asked . Told me VPN has to be removed, GPRS best to be canceled. Got $100 wavied at the end.

So is it true that even with the data roaming setting OFF u still get auto connected if Wifi is not detected ?

[genexis]

data roaming = usage of data OUT of singapore.

If you turn off 3G in iPhone, you can still use data when wifi not detected because GPRS is still active. You need to disable both GPRS (Edge in iPhone) and 3G to stop using data altogether.

[skyblueblue]

data roaming = usage of data OUT of singapore.

If you turn off 3G in iPhone, you can still use data when wifi not detected because GPRS is still active. You need to disable both GPRS (Edge in iPhone) and 3G to stop using data altogether.

How come M1 doesn't have this problem. MMS also uses GPRS right?

[genexis]

MMS = data i believe. Data can be transferred over GPRS (edge) and 3G.

Need confirmation from others.

[pakkua80]

I am not sure how does iphone software works but usually if for my case when i use my nokia phone net browser surfing websites, I make sure the browser or any other application(fring) is using WIFI only. If you have options selected to "ask me" or "let me choose" or wifi prefered. it will take 3G or GPRS as a backup connection if it can't use the surrounding wifi for internet connection automatically or prompt you for confirmation.

[skyblueblue]

Yes Nokia very straight forward. Its the iphone that i can't figure out.

So it seems only with GPRS off by the operator then Data roaming can be stop.

There is also a smart message charged to the bill. No idea what the hell that is.

[baby_zyklon]

That is the problem I had with iphone too. Even with the 3g setting of the iphone disabled AND your wifi on, as and when the iphone thinks the wifi signal is too weak, it automatically jumps to your sim card for data network, this is irregardless of whether you are on data or non-data plan. Heng I notice it on the first day.

Just call singtel customer service to cancel your gprs and 3g network. Basically they will put you back to the voice and sms only network. Your iphone gsm signal strength bar should show singtel and no "3G" when all is completed. You will not be able to send and receive mms though.

[pakkua80]

phew.... luckyly I did not jump ship but the ... touch screen is just too tempting...

[skyblueblue]

That is the problem I had with iphone too. Even with the 3g setting of the iphone disabled AND your wifi on, as and when the iphone thinks the wifi signal is too weak, it automatically jumps to your sim card for data network, this is irregardless of whether you are on data or non-data plan. Heng I notice it on the first day.

Just call singtel customer service to cancel your gprs and 3g network. Basically they will put you back to the voice and sms only network. Your iphone gsm signal strength bar should show singtel and no "3G" when all is completed. You will not be able to send and receive mms though.

Wah... Singtel should have advised on this part when she took up the plan.

Like that must jump ship back to M1 already

[HZM]

Got an iphone for my wife 2 weeks ago.

After happily passing her the phone, 2 hrs later I recalled about the scary GPRS charges many had mentioned online.

Quickly take over the phone trying to disable the setting, anyway damage is done. Yes, we are on Singtel and on playing w the iphone, she had unknowingly downloaded 1.74mb

Like everyone, I called Singtel to KPKB. So here what they offered to prevent this kind of unnecessary "GPRS activation"

1) Enable 3G - OFF
2) Data Roaming - OFF
3) Cellular Data Network > Cellular Data > APN = 0000

On point 3, once you set the APN to 0000 it suppose to diactivate the GPRS log on. But the crude side is you cannot receive MMS.

I tried with this setting and had monitor the data usage, so far no increase since day 1 so its pretty safe. Data downloaded still at 1.74mb since day 1.

You can check the mobile data usage from here http://home.singtel.com/bbmobile/checkusage.asp

Its www.singtel.com.sg >> bottom right under self service >> mobile data usage .... you wil be able to check your data usage w H/P no. + I/C

Cheers

Mike

[skyblueblue]

I put nothing on the APN now, left it blank for Data and thanks for the link Mike.

As things get more expensive service doesn't seems to improve. We have 3 telco and i'm still not satisfied with any


Finally Happy New Year 2010