Iphone recently giving problems with Etisalat UAE service provider - 3.0

[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]

solution

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]

reply to pkarbach

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]

Solution Found!

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!

 

[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!

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..