[elbert]

EDIT: This solution, although still functional, is negated by the fact that the iPhone's new Carrier Settings allows the editing of the APN, which is a much simpler solution. Simply sync your iPhone with iTunes and the prompt to update the carrier settings should appear. If not, simply click on Check for Update to make it appear.

Thanks.


By default, the iPhone is setup to recognize your Globe SIM and automatically configure the APN (Access Point Note) with the address internet.globe.com.ph. With this setting, when not on Wi-Fi, each time you tap on Internet-connected apps like Safari, Mail, AppStore, Weather, Maps and Stocks, the iPhone will connect to the Internet via Mobile Data (3G, EDGE or GPRS). Except for those with an iPhone plan (which provides 40, 60 or 100 free hours, depending on the plan), these services aren't free. Being that the touch screen is sensitive, it is very easy to accidentally tap on one of these Internet-connected apps.

To avoid being charged for accidental Mobile Data usage, all one has to do is to edit the APN with the wrong address. This will effectively disable Mobile Data. To edit the APN, just navigate your iPhone to Settings > General > Network > Cellular Data Network, Change the APN by either omitting the last letter or adding another character at the end (i.e. "internet.globe.com.p" or "internet.globe.com.phh")

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The original post that started this thread:
Thanks to http://brent.kearneys.ca, I now have a way to disable EDGE by using iPhone 2.0's mobileconfig and Profiles features.

As of this writing, in iPhone 2.0, there is no easy way to disable EDGE/GPRS. nor edit the APN.

There is a mobileconfig file that will do that for you easily. In this file, the APN has been set to "null". All you have to do is download it and email it to yourself. Open the email in the iPhone and tap on the attachment You will be prompted to install the configuration.

If you want to revert to your original settings, simply navigate to Settings > General > Profile and then REMOVE the APN Disabler Profile.

The file can be obtained here: http://homepage.mac.com/elbertcuenca...r.mobileconfig

(if it downloads as .txt, simply rename and remove the .txt extension so it retains the .mobileconfig extension instead)

P.S. you can trust the config file. I checked its contents and I'm currently using it. It's perfectly safe.

[vicicasas]

Once you've reverted to your original settings, is there a way to again disable EDGE or do you have to go through the process of installing the configuration?

[mikaelrules]

Does the iPhone keep a constant connection to the data network or does it connect only whe needed? (Assuming that any push services or periodic checks of email, etc are turned off) This is important for "time" based data rates. Don't want the iPhone connected 24/7!

[antski]

thanks for the tip elbert!

[elbert]

It is possible for me to create another mobileconfig file that has the proper APN, so that you can simply switch between Profiles, but it'll be specific to a carrier. Give me some time as I'm about to step out.

Simply REMOVE the config and it reverts. If you want to remove the APN again, simply go back to the email and install the mobileconfig file again.

[XyNo]

Is this the same as the Carrier Settings Update when you sync to iTunes?

I just wanna ask because before I updated my carrier settings, I don't have options under Network at all. After that, I now have the option to key in my APN/Username/Password.

[rsa]

I can edit the apn settings on my iphone 2.0.

[hannibal]

i think this workaround is only for GLOBE subscribers. i'm on SMART and i can edit my APN without any problems.

[rsa]

I'm also on Smart.

[elbert]

Interesting that this doesn't affect SMART users. I presume it's the same SUN users. I guess this means that iPhone 2.0 has Globe's network settings in it but not Smart's.