Hi All,
I will be over in the Philippines on holiday soon, and would like to use my iPhone for internet/email as well as for phone calls and SMS - can anyone recommend a prepaid SIM I can use, that has decent rates for internet access?

Cheers,
Linc

question:

is your iphone unlocked? if yes, u can use smart prepaid... P10/30mis internet surfing

Thanks for your response! Yep, its unlocked. Sounds like a good price, have you tried it with the phone? The iPhone starts and tears down EDGE sessions all the time rather than keeping it open (or at least that's my understanding) - so does that reset the 30 minutes? Like, if the iPhone drops the EDGE session after 5 mins then reconnects again 5 minutes later, will that be counted as two sessions (and P20), or just as one (P10) because it is within 30 minutes?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for the help!

Linc.

Even if you get disconnected and reconnect, their billing system still treats it as a continuation of your original session, and you don't get charged another P10 as long as it's still within the 30 minute timeframe.

Sweet, that is great - so the iPhone will work great with that SIM. I guess I'll pick one up when I arrive! Thanks for all your help.

Cheers,
Linc.

follow up query:

I have the same deal with Istoll and Im now set to use Smart since they better in the provinces for 2G.

so my questions are;

1. is 3G (internet) always ON?, or do you have to key in codes or go to menus each time.
i would like for it to be active all the time, its convenient for incoming mails and checking currency rates.

I did a search on Smart's website and they only data i found are Q&A on how to activate 3G/MMS.

2. Prepaid Card
what sort of card should I buy? Smart Buddy doesnt seem to state its 3G (i used Smart Buddy before) or do they have a specific 3g SIM card? if there is one, where can I get these? would the phone kiosks at malls have it readily available?


thanks.

@cresent......call *888 from any phone with Smart or, better yet, save yourself the trouble of relying on 2nd hand info by proceeding to the nearest Smart Wireless center where you can purchase the appropriate SIM/Plan for your particular situation.

how to use Globe prepaid for 3G access?

good advise raypin

you got me searching for their branches and found one in makati.

i originally planned just to get 3g capable sim anywhere but its probably best to
consult with Smart first. i just have to put off my need for it upon arrival and get it the next day.

thanks again.

update:

well my visitations to the Philippines just ended and heres the status of 3G services for the iPhone.

Smart - does not support the iPhone. I went to their wireless centre to buy the prepaid sim and loads but found out later that the iPhone isnt supported when activating 3G via sms.
I thought of going back to their shop but the long waits deterred me from doing so.
No response from 888 customer service.

3G signal however on Smart was stable even in some cities outside Manila. - sayang.

Globe - visited their shop too after getting frustrated on not having access to the net in a city i stayed for weeks
and i told them that I would like 3G services to work on my unlocked Phone but the lady said it wont be possible since its "Apple who activates 3G" ..??
Still i pondered on the idea of getting a Globe sim and try it but didnt when i couldnt be bothered send mass sms advising my contacts of another number.
(i should have tried it though to find out if 3G does work).

--
so there it is. i'll give the telcos another 2 years to see if they make an improvement, until such time, our chances are with open wifis and cafes (the real ones).

actually all simcard work w/ unlocked iphones....

you shld have asked questions here instead of asking those complex questions from the telcos

True. All simcards work with unlocked phones. Just dont forget to edit the apn for internet to work. Just search philmug for the appropriate apn settings for different telcos.

you shld have asked questions here instead of asking those complex questions from the telcos

i have, one suggested to call Smart Customer "service?"

The APN I have suspected when i was there, but no one pointed that out before I arrived in RP.
If this only activates GPRS (which is what i think it does) then thats not what I'm after, but if it does 3G too, then i missed out in using it when Smart 3G was stable enough to my liking.