Iphone recently giving problems with Etisalat UAE service provider - 3.0

[Laveeng]

Hi all

I'm facing this weird problem which I think has started after upgrading to 3.0 firmware. the problem is that I;m not able to make calls or send SMS at all, receive them with no issues. when spoken to Etisalat, they say the problem is with the phone which I doubt coz I've been using all the while with no dificulties. its only about day ago since the time I faced this thing. I upgraded to the new firmware like 2 weeks ago and it was fine until just a day ago.

Hoping to get some resolution.

Regards

[Laveeng]

hey..I hope some one responds to my query here. Anyways I figured out something. I can temporarily fix this issue by searching for 'carriers' under 'Network selection' and changing from 'Automatic' to 'Etisalat' or vice versa.

But the problem here is that I have to do this again and again everytime I have to make a call. Can some one help me out here pls

Rgds

[pkarbach]

I'm having the same problem. I cannot pinpoint exactly when i started having problems with making calls and sending sms, but it did happen after

upgrading to the 3.0 OS. I have a 2G, with the 3.0 OS and unlocked/jailbroken using redsn0w.

A few additional facts:

-I tried temporarily resolving the problem by changing the carrier from Automatic to Etisalat and vice-versa with no success. I do find sometimes

'Reset Network Settings' under Settings > General > Reset does the trick, but even this only works every once in a while. When it doesn't I have

been forced to restore the phone in itunes to factory defaults (not from backup!) and unlocking it again.

-I have no problem contacting Etisalat support by dialing 101 or other free numbers (example: Etihad Airways reservation line 800-2277). The

issue seems to be only with paid calls.

-The problem is not the SIM alone, as it works fine in another phone. The problem also does not appear to be phone alone, as I had no problem

using it in Canada with my Canadian SIM. But somehow the Etisalat Wasel SIM and my iPhone are not cooperating with each other.

If anyone has any ideas, or is experiencing similar problems, your input/feedback would be greatly appreciate!

[Laveeng]

The problem has been permanently solved. The cause to this prob was the gprs connection settings that is automatically loaded by etisalat on 3.0. You may install software that changes the APN and disconnects the auto connection to internet. Your would still work but 3g will not (though ur phone is 2g). U may find the software on appstore or js google it

[pkarbach]

The problem has been permanently solved. The cause to this prob was the gprs connection settings that is automatically loaded by etisalat on 3.0. You may install software that changes the APN and disconnects the auto connection to internet. Your would still work but 3g will not (though ur phone is 2g). U may find the software on appstore or js google it

Laveeng, looks like you missed a word there in your sentence. What will still work? The phone? or will I still have access to internet, it just won't be 3G. Sorry...i'm a bit new when it comes to all this phone/internet jargon. Does the APN need to be changed to anything in particular? I am currently using SBSettings to toggle on and off the EDGE on my phone, Is that not doing the same thing?

Perhaps you could be more specific as to which software/application I need to be installing.

Thanks for your help.

[pkarbach]

Nevermind,

Figured it out. Browsed to unlockit.co.uz using safari on my iPhone and created a profile to change my APN settings. Instant FIX!

[Laveeng]

Laveeng, looks like you missed a word there in your sentence. What will still work? The phone? or will I still have access to internet, it just won't be 3G. Sorry...i'm a bit new when it comes to all this phone/internet jargon. Does the APN need to be changed to anything in particular? I am currently using SBSettings to toggle on and off the EDGE on my phone, Is that not doing the same thing?

Perhaps you could be more specific as to which software/application I need to be installing.

Thanks for your help.

the missing word was WIFI. i meant your wifi would still work but 3g/gprs connection will be disconnected. software u install will change the APN address that will prevent from automatically connecting to etisalat internet. anyway, glad to know u figured it out.
Cheers

[pkarbach]

Ever since I changed my APN using unlockit.co.nz I have been having two new problems:

1) My battery life, in stand-by has reduced significantly
2) I do not receive all inbound calls (caller gets the friendly arabic 'phone is off or out of service area' recording from the carrier) and some sms get lost in limbo or arrive very late.

Any thoughts?

[Laveeng]

you may try dialing ##002#. that should help with your incoming cal problem (got this tip from Etisalat). with regard to the battery life, I'm facing the same problem. I hope some one can figure out a solution to this. I believe, due to the system upgrade and addition of APN re route profile might have caused high usage of memory which inturn has increased the battery consumption.

Would really appreciate if some one can help on this

[neilb767]

Just to add more mystery to this problem, I got a new 3gs i phone factory unlocked, and im only having this problem with the etisalat sim chip.

I can receive calls and sms no problem, but cannot make outgoing calls or send outgoing sms...

I called etisalat on this issue, and challenged them on how come this problem occurs only with the etisalat chip ???

in the end the fix that resolved this was to attach to i tunes and do a factory restore as new on the phone, then it worked fine....well at least for a week.

For the last few days the problem reoccured..but today its working fine again.

I suspect that etisalat is manipulating the service to try and infringe on your e-mails and sms as they did with the blackberry, however could not convince them of that even thought other sim chips work fine with the phone...

[neilb767]

As of now , my I phone seems to be under the controle of etisalat..

At times of the day it works fine...other times the problem of "insufficent credit" continues....

Any one find a permanent solution ??

[MohR3na]

since yesterday afternoon im stocked with the same problem and its really gettin me iritated now. i tried everything and keep bugging ETISALAT to solve it but they said that they're not experiencing any problems with the network. So wat im doin since yesterday is i (1) make a draft of the msg and send it until it failed (2)press the menu button and go to SETTINGS>AIRPLANE MODE>ON (3)go back to the MESSAGE (it will direct you to the failed SMS) and a WARNING that the setting was in AIRPLANE MODE and has to be DISABLE (4)DISABLE it and just after you disabled it and after the ICON of the network appears SEND again and IT'LL push through.

that's all we can do for now. even ETISALAT do not have solutions for it.

Ill try to update to 3.1 later and see what will happen.:confused:

[neilb767]

Im convinced the problem is not with the phone.

Its etisalat...they are manipulating the device so they can read your e mails etc as they did with the blackberry.


im also bugging them and your damn right this is very irritating.

however it does seem that when i add more credit to the 100+ dhs i already have that im able to make calls and text again..

good luck

[MohR3na]

I had a new problem now.

after changing APN my phone starts to heat up and my battery is not reaching 100% even if its charged for almost an hour. plssss.... give me a solution to this.

[CHEC]

As of now , my I phone seems to be under the controle of etisalat..

At times of the day it works fine...other times the problem of "insufficent credit" continues....

Any one find a permanent solution ??

I have a factory unlocked 3Gs and I've been having the same problems. I just spoke to Etisalat now and they said I need to turn off 3G before it will work. It seems to be working now but not sure for how long.

To turn off - Settings, General, Network - Enable 3G switch to off.

[CHEC]

I have a factory unlocked 3Gs and I've been having the same problems. I just spoke to Etisalat now and they said I need to turn off 3G before it will work. It seems to be working now but not sure for how long.

To turn off - Settings, General, Network - Enable 3G switch to off.

Forget it. It only works for 5mins.

[pkarbach]

Just to summarize:

- I have a 2G jailbroken and software unlocked iPhone running on 3.0 firmware.
- I was having trouble making outbound calls, so I changed the APN from etisalat.ae to ______ (blank)
- I am now able to make calls, but do not receive all calls. (some get through, but most times the caller receives a 'phone busy or out of coverage area' recorded message)
- Battery discharges much quicker than it used to

So I discovered something new/interesting today

You know how certain cheap speakers make a funny buzzing sound when a mobile phone is in use? Well, I realized that my iPhone constantly makes the speakers buzz when placed near by. Presumably because there is some sort of incoming/outgoing transfer going on. If I call the number from another phone, I get the 'unavailable' message. The buzzing was irritating me so I moved the phone away from the speakers. A good 10 minutes later I received the 'Missed Call' sms from Etisalat. I realized that at that time, the phone was sitting idle, so I placed it by the speakers and heard no funny buzzing sound. I tried to call it from an other phone and got through!

Obviously the problem of not being able to receive calls stems from the fact that the phone is trying to somehow interact with the network. Furthermore, it seems to temporarily give up or take a break, during which period it IS able to receive calls. I assume this is why the Battery does not last as long either.

If only I knew what it was trying to do, so I could stop it!

I don't know if this is news to anyone else? Anyone have any thoughts?

[Ezfound]

I have the first generation iphone, i jaibroke and unlocked it with the 3.1.2 and was working perfect for few days until this evening when i start getting the message: "not enough credit". I played with the settings and can get calls out only by refreshing the "network provider" (either automatic or etisalat). But that gives me only few minutes of freedom to call and then back again to the "blockage state".
Called twice 101. First one says it's the GPRS. I know I don't have any settings for it. The second time, the guy asked where i bought my iPhone, and suggested to do a restore with no backup ( i don't beleive it's a solution). So i'm wondering if it has to do with phones not registred with etisalat. The only way to know is to see if one bought from them has the same problem or not.

[pkarbach]

I have the first generation iphone, i jaibroke and unlocked it with the 3.1.2 and was working perfect for few days until this evening when i start getting the message: "not enough credit". I played with the settings and can get calls out only by refreshing the "network provider" (either automatic or etisalat). But that gives me only few minutes of freedom to call and then back again to the "blockage state".
Called twice 101. First one says it's the GPRS. I know I don't have any settings for it. The second time, the guy asked where i bought my iPhone, and suggested to do a restore with no backup ( i don't beleive it's a solution). So i'm wondering if it has to do with phones not registred with etisalat. The only way to know is to see if one bought from them has the same problem or not.


-Your outbound call/sms issue can be resolved by changing your APN (as mentioned above). Unfortunately that will block most of your inbound calls.

-Restoring your phone (as new) will only temporarily resolve your issue. I've tried it a few times already, and the problem always returns.

Mind if I ask what you used to jailbreak and unlock your phone?

[Ezfound]

I think i found the solution. It all has to do with the APN. Some providers hijack the cellular data roaming and don't let the user access it. It's the case for Etisalat and i found that the hard way. Since yesterday afternoon, my problem started for outgoing calls, and my credit went down more than 200dhs. This because applications were accessing the internet through etisalat APN and without me having any control on that. Thanks Etisalat. But thanks really to some hard working people, i found the hack to show the "cellular Data Network" and disable the APN. Actually you can't disable it but you replace etisalat.ae by some bogus letters. It stopped all data connections to the internet (except wifi) and reastablished my outgoing calls.
You need to SSH to your iPhone and go to "../System/Library/Carrier Bundles" and download the file "carrier.plist" in the folder "Etisalat_ae.bundle" and add this string:
<key>AllowEDGEEditing</key>
<true/>

just after

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”UTF-8″?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC “-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN” “http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd”>
<plist version=”1.0″>
<dict>

restart your iPhone, go to Settings>General>Network>Cellular Data Network (now it's showing)>and change the APN from etisalat to anything else.

And so far all inbound calls are working fine. And for your info pkarbach, i used "Pwnage tool" to unlock the phone.

[pkarbach]

Ezfound,

Sorry to rain on your parade, but that's not a complete solution to the problem. Or at least, it wasn't for me. I changed my APN from etisalat.ae to etisalat.aex and when that didn't work, i just left the field blank. All outbound calls work fine, and sometimes incoming calls get through. However, MOST of the time, inbound calls are redirected to a recording which says 'phone unavailable or out of coverage area'.

[Ezfound]

Ezfound,

Sorry to rain on your parade, but that's not a complete solution to the problem. Or at least, it wasn't for me. I changed my APN from etisalat.ae to etisalat.aex and when that didn't work, i just left the field blank. All outbound calls work fine, and sometimes incoming calls get through. However, MOST of the time, inbound calls are redirected to a recording which says 'phone unavailable or out of coverage area'.

So far so good (at least for me). I don't know for sure (yet) if there is any lost incoming calls. I've tried to call mine from different phones at different times and it worked fine. Besides the APN change, i have no clue on what else can be done. I just hope the problem is gone for good this time!!

[paul428]

Hi,
Reading this post, I'm so glad I'm not alone with my recent problem with Iphone and Etisalat.

I've recently purchased a factory unlocked iPhone 3G-S, as my previous iphone 2G screen bust.

I have a Wasal Etisalat Pay as you go sim card, which i've had for about 3 years. It's always worked fine with my old iPhone.

The problem I've had when using my new phone is I can receive texts and voice calls, but can't make any out-going calls or send texts.
Each time I try, I get the Etisalat message saying I need to add credit to my account, even though there is plenty of credit on my account.

I've tried taking my sim card out and using an old handset, which works fine, and no problems, so back to the 3G-S.

I called Etisalat last week. The guy said to 1) switch off 3G mode, 2) turn on AirPlane mode for 10 seconds, then turn off again. 3) turn 3G mode back on, 4) go to GENERAL - RESET - Reset Network Settings.

I did as instructed... everything was fine and working again, until my credit ran out this week. I topped up, and we're back to the same problem.
As the sim works fine on another handset (non-iPhone), I'm assuming it's got to be something between iPhone 3G-S and Etisalat.

After speaking to Etisalat again this afternoon, they changed there advice, and said I need to restore the phone via I-tunes, and that would work. They also said the problem is nothing to do with them.
It did not work, and I'm still with the same problem.

Has anyone had the same thing happen?

Does anyone know how this can be fixed?

Any advice / thoughts would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

[kamil.k]

I have been experiencing exactly the same problem with my iPhone 3G, i.e., got constantly a busy signal on all outgoing calls.

For the record: eplus.de provider from Germany.

The thing which helped instantly was inputting a fake APN name. This can be done semi-automatically, using a fakeAPN extension for SBSettings. However, it is still a workaround and I am really annoyed with that. I do have a data flatrate and do not want to mess up with with the configuration in order to make a bloody phone-call!

Do you think the issue is provider-specific?

[CJYetman]

same thing is happening to me on blau.de

just started a few days ago. data and phone and sms all worked fine for two months, now data is fine, receiving calls and sms is fine, but I can't send any sms or place any calls.

2 things that happened in the recent days that might have an effect.... I added credit to my account through an SMS.... and there was the day light savings time change

any ideas?

[pkarbach]

I've been doing a lot of research into this as I have been having this problem for a while.

So far we have been able to resolve the issue with the outbound calls/sms by changing the APN. Unfortunately, this somehow blocks most of the incoming calls/sms. Or at least it has for me, has no one else had this issue? As I mentioned a few 'posts' ago, I recently noticed that my phone is constantly trying to somehow communicate with the network, even when I'm not using it. Today I came across this article http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=740&tag=untagged discussing EDGE and the iPhones inability to receive calls when EDGE is being used. I am assuming that this is what is blocking my incoming calls.

So my question is, if APN is disabled, how is my phone still trying to communicate with the network?

[dipacas]

Hello everyone
I've been having the same problem and i think i finally found a solution that does not waste your battery or affect your incoming calls or messages.
First of all you need to have cydia on your iphone. If you dont have it then google how to jailbreak your iphone depending on which one you're using and install cydia.
Once there search packages for "BossPref" and install it.
Once installed go on the application and switch off Edge and 3G.
Go back onto Cydia and look for the package "Fake APN" and install it.
This will show in the bosspref toggles so go there and switch it on and you should be fine with both outgoing and incoming calls.... at least it is working for me so far until etisalat finds another way to piss me off

[possa]

hi pkarbach,

i have the exact same problem ur facing and i have been getting very pissed off with eitsalat. ive tried a no of settings and changes, however the solution is only temporary. i did visit the website

http://www.unlockit.co.nz/forum/index.php?topic=24.0

the guy that has the info written there has had the same problem as well. Ive tried his solution, it seems to be working fine for the moment. however, i am going to get myself a du sim card just to check and confirm if eitsalat is actually screwing up or if its my phone. i know for a fact that it is etisalat as in these times of recession thats the only way to steal money from people in broad daylight legally.


if you have had any solutions or are still facing any more problems do let me know





Just to summarize:

- I have a 2G jailbroken and software unlocked iPhone running on 3.0 firmware.
- I was having trouble making outbound calls, so I changed the APN from etisalat.ae to ______ (blank)
- I am now able to make calls, but do not receive all calls. (some get through, but most times the caller receives a 'phone busy or out of coverage area' recorded message)
- Battery discharges much quicker than it used to

So I discovered something new/interesting today

You know how certain cheap speakers make a funny buzzing sound when a mobile phone is in use? Well, I realized that my iPhone constantly makes the speakers buzz when placed near by. Presumably because there is some sort of incoming/outgoing transfer going on. If I call the number from another phone, I get the 'unavailable' message. The buzzing was irritating me so I moved the phone away from the speakers. A good 10 minutes later I received the 'Missed Call' sms from Etisalat. I realized that at that time, the phone was sitting idle, so I placed it by the speakers and heard no funny buzzing sound. I tried to call it from an other phone and got through!

Obviously the problem of not being able to receive calls stems from the fact that the phone is trying to somehow interact with the network. Furthermore, it seems to temporarily give up or take a break, during which period it IS able to receive calls. I assume this is why the Battery does not last as long either.

If only I knew what it was trying to do, so I could stop it!

I don't know if this is news to anyone else? Anyone have any thoughts?

[testingxp]

I found a solution!

1) Jailbreak your iPhone. (I used redsn0w - with firmware v3.0.1)
2) Install SBSettings using Cydia.
3) Change SBSettings options to show toggles for (3G, Edge, Location, Push).
4) Set all the above toggles (3G, Edge, Location, Push) to OFF.
5) Now try making a call and it should work!

No battery life is wasted this way! (fakeAPN kills battery life)

Enjoy! :D

[padawanjp]

I found a solution!

1) Jailbreak your iPhone. (I used redsn0w - with firmware v3.0.1)
2) Install SBSettings using Cydia.
3) Change SBSettings options to show toggles for (3G, Edge, Location, Push).
4) Set all the above toggles (3G, Edge, Location, Push) to OFF.
5) Now try making a call and it should work!

No battery life is wasted this way! (fakeAPN kills battery life)

Enjoy! :D

im also annoyed with this problem. i tried this solution but its only temporary. if you turn off 3g and edge from sbsettings for some reason, you'd still get a data ip address. i've observed that whenever you have a data ip you'd get the no credit message. if its blank or n/a your sms and call can go through. im just toggling edge on and off from time to time to get things working for the moment. but i wish there's a permanent solution for this.

[livurlife]

Hi,
Reading this post, I'm so glad I'm not alone with my recent problem with Iphone and Etisalat.

I've recently purchased a factory unlocked iPhone 3G-S, as my previous iphone 2G screen bust.

I have a Wasal Etisalat Pay as you go sim card, which i've had for about 3 years. It's always worked fine with my old iPhone.

The problem I've had when using my new phone is I can receive texts and voice calls, but can't make any out-going calls or send texts.
Each time I try, I get the Etisalat message saying I need to add credit to my account, even though there is plenty of credit on my account.

I've tried taking my sim card out and using an old handset, which works fine, and no problems, so back to the 3G-S.

I called Etisalat last week. The guy said to 1) switch off 3G mode, 2) turn on AirPlane mode for 10 seconds, then turn off again. 3) turn 3G mode back on, 4) go to GENERAL - RESET - Reset Network Settings.

I did as instructed... everything was fine and working again, until my credit ran out this week. I topped up, and we're back to the same problem.
As the sim works fine on another handset (non-iPhone), I'm assuming it's got to be something between iPhone 3G-S and Etisalat.

After speaking to Etisalat again this afternoon, they changed there advice, and said I need to restore the phone via I-tunes, and that would work. They also said the problem is nothing to do with them.
It did not work, and I'm still with the same problem.

Has anyone had the same thing happen?

Does anyone know how this can be fixed?

Any advice / thoughts would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

......

I had different prob with my iphone 2g. `it's always saying "could not activate cellular data network. You are not subscribed to a cellular data service" . I am on wasel prepaid. I don' t understand: i CAN call, TEXT and RECEIVE CALLS AND TXTS from etisalat mobiles numbers (and DU txts!). BUT I CANNOT GET CALLS FROM LANDLINES, AND DU MOBILE NUMBERS. IT SAYS PHONE IS SHUT OFF WHEN ITS NOT. Little weird.

I tried switching it on and off, rebooting it, resetting network...
and voila! it works.... BUT AFTER SOMETIME IT GOES BACK AGAIN. " to saying could not activate cellular data blah blah.

I don't know what seems to be the problem. Please help. I want to dissect my iphone.!!

[Laveeng]

Try disabling the 3g/Edge connection. there is one apn-disabler available around if you look up in appstore. You may try other disablers as well. try installing it on your phone directly and see if it works.

Below changes should be noticeable

1. Phone will stop heating up
2. 3g/edge services will be deactivated which will stop deducting charges off your available credits


Regards

[macjunk(ie)]

Hey guys..old thread but I want to know how this 'story' ended ? :)
I have been having the same issues (full network signal but caller gets switched off/ out of coverage message) some of you have been having.

I am not in UAE but I think my network provider may have learnt a trick or two from Etisalat..