Configuring GSM phones so that data aware Java applications like gMail, UC Browser and Opera Mini can connect to the Internet is a total disaster. Opera Mini is an amazing mobile browser that gives almost any phone iPhone like Internet capabilities. But many people have trouble getting it to work. They download it from mini.opera.com, it installs without error but when they try to run it they get the error “Failed to connect to the internet“. The same thing often happens with the UC browser, gMail, Picomail, Google Maps, eBuddy Nimbuzz and other mobile Java applications. Because the user can surf the web with the phone’s built in browser, they clearly have a connection to the web. So why doesn’t the app work? Although it’s natural to blame the app, in almost all cases, it’s a setup issue caused by brain dead GPRS data configuration model.
Many mobile operators who are more than happy to sell you an “unlimited” data plan deliberately put roadblocks in the way of using 3rd party data aware applications to reduce data traffic on their networks. Even setting up unbranded, unlocked phones is a hassle. Phone manufacturers do a terrible job of documenting how to configure handsets so that Java applications can connect to the network. The terminology and menu options vary from one phone to the next even from the same manufacturer.
This post is an attempt to demystify the process by explaining the concepts and providing links to sources of operator and phone specific setup information. You won’t find instructions on how to set up your phone here but I’ll try to point out the best resources for finding the right settings for your phone and operator.
First of all you need a phone that can run Java, meaning that it has a Java runtime (JVM) installed in firmware. Most recent GSM phones have Java, but many CDMA carriers including Verizon, MetroPCS, Cricket and US Cellular in the US use Qualcomm’s BREW application platform rather than Java. There’s nothing technically wrong with BREW but its security model is completely hopeless when it comes to installing 3rd party applications. The only way to get BREW applications is to buy them from your carrier, there are no free BREW applications. My advice, if you want to be able to run free, state of the mobile applications like gMail and Opera Mini, is to avoid the BREW carriers. GSM phones from most operators, CDMA phones from Sprint and iDEN phones from Sprint/Nextel and Boost Mobile all support Java.
Unlike GSM phones Sprint and Boost Mobile CDMA and iDEN handsets don’t require or allow any sort of user data configuration. Java applications usually just work on these phones. When Opera Mini or another Java app installs but won’t connect on a CDMA or iDEN phone, it means that packet data is not provisioned on the carrier side. There’s nothing the user can do except call and try to convince customer support to escalate the issue to a data specialist who can actually fix the problem.
GSM phones, in addition to requiring provisioning by the carrier to turn on data, have many data configuration settings that all have to be correct for data aware applications to work. Having a working browser is not an indication that data is set up correctly. Many built in mobile browsers connect to a WAP/GPRS access point or gateway that doesn’t provide the direct socket or http connectivity that applications need.
Just about all GSM phones support multiple data profiles, each of which is a collection of settings which can be assigned to the built in browser, MMS or applications. Different phone manufacturers call these profiles by different names. Common ones are:
Nokia: Access Points
Samsung: Browser Profiles
Motorola: Data Sessions
LG and Sony Ericsson: Internet Profiles
Blackberry: TCP Settings
A data profile contains dozens of settings, most of them optional. The ones we need to be concerned with are:
Profile Name: A user selected unique name for the access point.
APN or Access Point Name: the hostname or IP address of a switch or server within the carrier’s network which routes data between the mobile network and the Internet.
Bearer: The type of connection like CSD or GPRS.
Username: often but not always blank.
Password: blank if the username is blank.
WAP Gateway IP address and port: Required with some low end and older phones.
Some carriers also require data traffic to pass though a proxy server which has an address and a port.
Proxy Address: The IP address of a proxy server.
Proxy Port: The HTTP port used by the proxy server.
There must be a data profile assigned to your applications. How this is configured varies from phone to phone. There might be a menu option within the data profile setup called Packet Data Access Point or Default Access Point or the profile might need to be set in an Application Manager’s context menu or in an Options menu at the individual application level. Motorola’s are unusual, Java applications will look for and use a data session named Java Session.
Your carrier or phone manufacturer may be able to push all the required settings to your phone. This is the easiest and usually the best way to configure your phone, if it’s available. I recommend trying the carrier first as they should always have the most up to data settings. Check the support section of the carrier’s web site, looking for “send settings to your phone” or something similar. The carrier may offer a choice of several different types of settings like WAP, MMS, Internet or GPRS Data. For applications you generally want Internet or GPRS Data if they are available and WAP as a last resort. When in doubt have all the settings sent.
A few phone manufacturers including Sony Ericsson and Motorola can also send settings for many different carriers.
Recent Nokia phones have a built in Settings Wizard containing settings for most operators. Instructions on using the settings wizard are at here.
Many times having the settings sent to your phone is all you need to get Opera Mini working. If it doesn’t work with your carrier’s settings try the manufacturer settings and vice versa. If Opera still can’t connect don’t give up. It’s possible to enter the settings manually. here’s how:
1) First you will need to find the right settings for your carrier and data plan. Usually they can be found on the carrier web site or by calling customer support. Many third party application vendors sites provide lists of settings for operators around the world. Some good ones include: Opera, eBuddy and Nav4All. It doesn’t matter whether you are using the vendor’s app or not, the settings are the same for any Java or native application. If you can’t find your operator’s settings anywhere else, try doing a Google search for “<Operator Country> GPRS Settings“, i.e. MTN South Africa GPRS Settings.
For US users here are the current settings for the national GSM operators AT&T and T-Mobile:
AT&T:
APN or Access Point Name: wap.cingular
Bearer: GPRS.
Username: <leave blank>
Password: <leave blank>
WAP Gateway IP address: 66.209.11.61
Proxy Address: <not required>
Proxy Port: <not required>
T-Mobile USA:
APN or Access Point Name: wap.voicestream.com or epc.tmobile.com
Bearer: GPRS.
Username: <leave blank>
Password: <leave blank>
WAP Gateway IP address: 216.155.165.050
Proxy Address: <not required>
Proxy Port: <not required>
2) Once you have the settings, enter them on your phone manually. The process varies from phone model to phone model. The phone manual should have this information, but often it doesn’t. eBuddy has step by step guides for setting up popular phone models.
Some mobile operator’s sites including, AT&T, O2 and Sun Cellular also have good instructions for setting up many phones. These operator guides are helpful for figuring out the often arcane setup menus. Of course, if you are using instructions from an operator other than your own you need to substitute the actual setting values specific to your operator that you found in step 1 for the ones provided.
If you can’t find setup instructions for your specific model try looking through the instructions for similar models from the same manufacturer to find one that has the same menu structure. For example all Nokia s40 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th edition phones have the same setup menus and are set up the same way. For obscure phone models you might have to resort to a Google search for “<phone make phone model> GPRS setup”.
Note: If you have a Nokia S40 phone and your operator’s settings specify a proxy IP and/or proxy port, manual set up may not work because Nokia stupidly does not provide any way to enter the proxy settings. If this applies to you try doing the setup without the proxy settings, as in some cases including AT&T and T-Mobile USA, the proxy isn’t actually necessary.
If the proxy really is required, you must use the Nokia setup wizard, if it exists on your phone. or have the settings sent to the phone by your operator or phone manufacturer.
It is also possible to send the proxy settings to your phone yourself using Bluetooth. It’s a somewhat complicated process and requires that your phone support Bluetooth and that you have a Bluetooth equipped computer or computer plus a second Bluetooth phone. The procedure is documented on the web at: Howard Forums, NXG and Mobilomania. I’ve never actually had to do this myself so you are on your own if you try this.
If you have tried everything and you still can’t get it to work I recommend asking for help on one of the many mobile users forums like The Opera Mini Forum, Howard Forums, Mobiledia, Esato or country specific forums like Nairaland for Nigeria or Talk.ph in the Philippines. When using forums it’s important to follow forum etiquette to avoid being “flamed”. Before posting a help request, use the forum’s search function to be sure your question hasn’t already been answered. If you do post asking for help on a forum be sure to give as much information as possible including, make and model of phone, carrier, country, the name and price of your data plan and the exact text of any error messages.
You can also leave a comments on this post if you get stuck. I try to answer as many questions as possible. I’m not able to answer questions about settings for specific operators or phones as I do not have them. Comments asking for operator or phone settings will be ignored. You need to do your own research using the resources in this post.
Please don’t ask me for “cheat” codes or other ways to enable free browsing. Comments asking how to browse for free will be deleted.
Last Updated: 15-Mar-2012 – fixed some link rot.
PLZ HELP ME TO FIXED MY INTERNET SETTING
MY PHONE IS A JAMA I-MATE
TNX A LOT FOR THE HELP
GOD BLESS!!!!
I have nokia 7210 with airtel connection. Is ther any gprs setting which helps me to stay alws online wht paying any charges
Mr J, For T-Mobile USA you need to have a data plan. Data plans are only available on postpaid or Flexplay not prepaid.
If you have a non-T-Mobile phone you also need to configure the phone’s settings;
(Based on http://mobileguide.o2.co.uk/devices/device.jsp?deviceId=553&tab=8&step=2&settingId=2382 edited with T-Mobile specific settings)
1. Tap the menu icon (::).
2. Tap ‘Settings’ tab.
3. Tap ‘Connectivity’.
4. Tap ‘Access points’.
5. Tap ‘Add profile’.
6. Tap ‘Connection title’ enter ‘T-Zones’. (Do not tap ‘Save’ until directed to in these settings. Use the scroll bar to hightlight the next step)
7. Skip past ‘Bearer’ as this is preset to ‘GPRS’.
8. Tap ‘APN’ enter ‘wap.voicestream.com’.
9. Tap ‘Save’.
10. Tap the ‘Back’ arrow (top right hand of the screen) once.
11. Tap ‘Internet profiles’.
12. Tap ‘Add profile’.
13. Tap ‘Title’ enter ‘T-Zones’ (Do not tap ‘Save’ until directed to in these settings. Use the scroll bar to hightlight the next step).
14. Tap ‘Access point’ and then tap ‘T-Zones’.
15. Tap ‘Save’.
16. Tap the ‘Back’ arrow (top right hand of the screen) twice.
17. Tap the ‘Utilities’ tab (third tab down on the right).
18. Tap ‘Browser’.
19. Tap ‘Settings’.
20. Tap ‘Profiles’.
21. Tap ‘Add profile’.
22. Tap ‘Title’ enter ‘T-Zones’ (Do not tap ‘Save’ until directed to in these settings. Use the scroll bar to hightlight the next step).
23. Tap ‘Homepage’ enter ‘http://wap.myvoicestream.com’.
24. Tap ‘Internet profile’.
25. Tap ‘T-Zones’.
26. Tap ‘Save’.
27. Tap ‘Yes’ to the question “Saved. Activate T-Zones”.
28. Tap the ‘Back’ arrow (top right hand of the screen) 4 times to get back to the standby screen. .
i just brought an LG KP500 unlocked version, phone works great but… i cant access the web browser, im from the USA if that matters, i have t-mobile (they suck) please help me i ant live w/o the web on my phone it keeps saying connection failed
I just received a gift of Samsung GT-S 5230 and Iwant to configure it for internet browsing in Nigeria. I use MTN mobile network as the carrier of my choice.When I wanted to configure, Imet the following:
Set name:
Connection 01
Access name
Auth type
Normal
User ID
password
Protocol
HTTP
Home URL
http://
proxy address
Linger Time (Sec.)
300
Advanced settings >>
Can you help me to configure this phone.
Here, if you contact MTN, it may take three months before they reply or they may never attend to you.
Thanks for your cooperation
hello i have the same problem now.. do u know how can i fixed it? tenkiu.. :)
Try the other resources listed in the post;
Third party application vendors: Opera, eBuddy, Nimbuz and Nav4All.
Do a Google search for “ GPRS Settings”, i.e. MTN South Africa GPRS Settings.
If u got a prompt that says Subscribe to Data Packet first-it means that ur gprs service is nt activated yet even u have the right settings. pls call ur OPERATOR to have ur account activated for the gprs service. If u cnt connect to d internet using OPERAMINI browser maybe ur Operator doesnt allow access to d internet using OM browser instead the built in browser of ur fone or f ur in prepaid service u dnt have the right Load amount to browse the internet. sumtimes there is a maintaining balance to browse the internet. most likely ur phone carrier has no gprs service only the basic txt and call. u have to ask them to activate ur gprs service(additional service charge). Pls used editable network configuration OM server. like OPERAMINI MOD VER 20.6 and OM 8.65(WINMO Devices-sumtyms works on s60) wer u can edit proxy.port and operamini server.sumtimes u cn conect to d internet using anonymous proxy server and bypassed restrictions by ur local carrier. most OM Browsers r java format.check ur java setting to allow access to the internet.
How to connect nokia 6600 operamini 4.2 to browse on mac os x operamini 9.20. Pls assiste me.
i got a problem installing operamini 4.2 on my nokia 6600 …. its say FAILED TO CONNECT…i am from philippines and a smart subscriber.
pls. help me to find the right internet settings…for my operamini…
Hi Dennis,
I got a problem installing my opera mini 4.2 and opera mini 3…It says, “failed to connect to the internet”. I am from the Philippines and a Globe subscriber.
I called my provider for internet settings and still i got a “failed to connect to the internet” when i finish the installation.
My phone is Motorolla VE538.. What’s should i do with this one??
Please I really need help on this..I already tried different settings from different blogs that i read..and still it won’t work on my phone..
thanks..
hi plz help me..i cant use internet in my cellphone..how to open gprs in 2626?i cant download opera mini..plz help me.thanks so much.
Hi, I have Nokia 2700classic that has Opera Mini browser installed in it from source(nokia). I already saved my GPRS settings from MTN Nigeria. But opera mini still isn’t working. Worst still, I cannot even log on to the web. What should I do?
Your friend is lucky! Browsing is not usually free. I don’t know why it is free for your friend but its most likely either:
A difference in connection settings between you phone and hers.
A different operator or plan package.
A mistake by her operator where they didn’t set up billing correctly and she isn’t being charged.
hello,
i installed opera mini 4.2 on my mobile phone sony ericsson k800i.
i heard it is free when you browse the internet on your phone using opera mini.
but everytime i get connected to internet thru opera i am getting charged the regular internet connection charges.
what can i do about it so i will not get charged???
please help !!!
thanks a lot !
=========
my friend is using the same opera mini on her samsung phone but she’s not getting get charged ever when she connects to the internet through it.
we’re both using prepaid and she can still connect to the internet even she doesn’t have credits on her phone.
she doesn’t know why she’s not being charged and i am.
can you please enlighten me more about it?
why am i getting charged and my friend is not?
what can i do about it?
i will really appreciate your response.
thanks much.
jenny
How can I activate my opera mini? Im from Philippines and Im using n6500c. Im a smart subscriber.
Pls can you help me with how to connect to the net using sonyericsson w205.I’m in nigeria and i use mtn. It seems the network don’t have a compatible setting with my phone.
Hi im michael im currently using a Nokia N70 right now.. im from Philippines.. i have downloaded Opera Mini 3.2 on my phone.. it was installed easily on my phone but when i try to use it, a “failed to connect to internet” message appeared.. i was able to connect to the internet on my cellphones default browser that’s why im wondering why opera mini wasn’t.. please help me.. im using globe as my network provider.. Thanks
good day sir..may you help me to install opera mini on my cellphone…im using i-mate jama..how can i have free internet access using opera mini??
thanks in advance sir…God bless you
Im from Philippines anyway
i’m not showing my rating because i can’t use
!!!!! no connection getting
hello everybody that have mtn settings for operamini4.2mod should send it to through my phone no i will be gracefull to u thanks everybody.
greetings Mr. dennis. im having trouble trying to access opera mini 4.2 on my nokia 6101. i was wondering if you had any ideas on how to make it work please :)
hi dennis, i am from india m using nokia n72 phone when i installed opera mini 4.2 it worked for 1&1/2 day without problem but now its having a problem cannot connect to server,my service provider is loop india,n i hav done settings correctly but still having prob,help me plz
hi! i’m from the philippines. i’m using a nokia 6300 and i also using Smart. and every time i try to use OperaMini, i always get FAILED TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET on the screen. pls help!!
send the answer to my email: [email protected]
thank you.
LEE, It’s normal to be charged for using the web on your phone, even with Opera Mini.
Users sometimes discover tricks that enable free browsing but they specific to a particular operator and country and tend to get blocked quickly, especially if someone publishes them on the web.
hi sir i just want to share the right settings for nokia 6070 users.i’ll upload it in Utube soon!my problem is should i maintain a load balance? is it free to use the opera mini..my network charged me pls give me an advice sir…thank you..
Hi, I have Nokia 2730 that has installed Opera Mini browser in it. I already saved my GPRS settings. But opera mini still isn’t working. What should I do?
Dennis,
as I have already written in a mail to you, I’m sorry for thinking that my question was deleted. It was really not to see anymore when I came back on the Bord to see if you had answered. I have no clue why this happened. So I really appreciate your answer and will try what you have said in your mail.
Have a nice day and thanks again for trying to help me and all the rest of here. If I have any more questions I will promise not to freak if the question will vanish again :-)
osepeter, For MTN Nigeria settings and information please see the answer I gave Charles on 8-Aug. It’s here: http://wapreview.com?p=466&cpage=6#comment-837307
Be warned that it may not work as MTN is reportedly blocking access to Opera Mini at this time: http://my.opera.com/community/forums/topic.dml?id=290289
LEE, I can’t send settings to your phone as I don’t have the specialized hardware required. You have to do it yourself. See:
http://www.howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=9191541&postcount=4
http://silentfrequencies.blogspot.com/2009/05/provisionary-files-for-s40-phones.html
BTW, the Globe settings and how to get them on your phone have been discussed extensively in the comments to this post. Please use the the search box before asking for help.
Jutta, thanks to spammers comments on this blog are moderated. Nothing was deleted, I approve comments when I’m able but never while I’m sleeping :)
You only transfer the .prov file to your phone. Transfer must be by Bluetooth or infrared. If you don’t have Bluetooth on your PC you have three choices:
1. Copy the .prov file to a second phone using PC Suite or a card reader and then use the Bluetooth to send the file from the second phone to yours.
2. Buy or borrow a bluetooth USB key for your PC. They are cheap online although finding drivers that allow sending files in the right format can be a hassle.
3. Find someone who can send a proper .prov file over the air to your phone. Have you tried having Vodafone send settings to your phone? It may not work as operators don’t always send the proxy settings required by 3rd party apps. Or try http://mannuforall.blogspot.com/2008/04/free-gprs-settings-for-any-operator.html
The answers to all your questions and many more can be found in the full Howard Forums thread that the post I referred you to was part of.
UPS! Sorry Dennis – I thought my question was deleted since it wasn’t on the page to see anymore..No clue why but after I’ve wrote the next message, it was showing. sorry again :-)
Still hoping to receive an answer.;-)
Hey Dennis
thanks for just deleting my question without answering!
Blessings…
Pls help me sir, i have a nokia 6070.could you pls provide settings for this mobile? i can’t install opera mini since i already got Smart GPRS and Smart Internet settings. im from in the philippines!here’s my mobile no. +639217341557! thank you sir in advanced send me a mail.
Culd any1 hlp me wit dificlty?I cnt instal operamini5 beta in2 n70 & d ntwrk i’m usin is mtn.Pls hlp me wit bot instlaton & setins 4 brwsin
Dennis Bournique says:
July 20, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Jay, BPL requires proxy IP and port settings in order for Java apps like Opera Mini to be able to connect. These can’t be set manually on S40 phones like the 6500s. The way to get it set up is by sending a provisioning file to your phone from a PC or another phone using Bluetooth. Instructions and the files you need are here: http://www.howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=9191541&postcount=4
_______________________________________________
Hello Dennis,
I have Nokia 6500s, Provider Vodafone Germany.
I have downloaded the zipfile to my comp and unzipped. I’ve opend the folder “Vodafone germany” and there are 3 files in it. Do I transfer all 3 files to my phone? Problem is, I do not have blue-tooth connecting from PC to phone, only PC Suite via usb. I can transfer files from PC to my phone this way but I don’t know how to transfer these 3 files with the PC Suite software.
Is there any other way to get these files transfered to my phone?
Would really appreciate an answer from you.
Sincerely,
Jutta from Germany
Pls sir, i’m facin prblm installing operamini 5 beta into my fone.My fone model is n70 & netwrk is mtn.I wil also b pleased if u culd snd d settings as well.Sir i apprciat d way u attend 2 questions. U culd reply me thru my email:[email protected]
Ronnie,
I’m not familiar with the setup steps for LGs The settings are the same for all phones but how you input them varies. Globe has some setup information for several LG models here:
http://site.globe.com.ph/web/guest/199
The KU380 isn’t listed but the menus might be similar on one of the listed models.
If manual settings don’t work you could try the .prov file method. See http://silentfrequencies.blogspot.com/2009/05/provisionary-files-for-s40-phones.html
Okay, I have all the necessary connection info in place but I still can’t seem to make it work. It still keeps saying that I’ve no internet connection. I’m a globe user and I’m using an LG KU380. I’ve been at this all day but I still haven’t figured out how to make the internet work. I can connect on my default browser but I can’t make it work on Opera. Help!
i think not the pc but the phone itself.. because before i can play music connecting it to dvd players with usb port but now i cant..
jonathan, You mean when you plug in the phone to the computer to use PC Suite? Sounds like typical Windows misbehavior. Things to try fromeasiest to hardest:
* Unplug and replug the phone into a different USB port.
* Unplug and power cycle the phone and reboot the PC.
* Reinstall PC Suite
hello, i have a new problem.. i accidentally unplugged the usb cable from the computer. now nothing shows on the computer when i connect the usb cable. what should i do?
razen0214, the error means that your settings are wrong. Read the article and the comments, the information is there.
hi.. i alreaady gort my globe connect and sun wap.. but when i tried downloading miniopera, upon installataion, it doesnt continue.. it says go to opera.help page or contact internet settings of phone…. what sgall I do?
Jonathan, the 3110c is an S40 phone. You can not set the proxy port and proxy IP manually. You must have the setting sent to your phone by bluetooth or from your operator. That is where you have concentrate your efforts. That is the first and essential step. Unless the proxy and port are set by having settings sent, nothing in the menu will make it work.
I know you got errors having the settings sent to your phone. As far as I know the 3110c should be able to receive settings. I don’t know why it failed but I’d keep trying using different .prov files. Here are some more sites that have .prov files or information on creating them:
http://mannuforall.blogspot.com/2008/04/free-gprs-settings-for-any-operator.html
http://www.howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=9191541&postcount=4
Mine is Samsung U700 Globe user. I dont think im using the right browser settings. D:
i got a problem in access point im a sun user my phones are nseries like n73 and n95
sir because after i activate my gprs (philippines) in globe i try to to download opera mini and use it but it says “connection failed” plss help me what i need to work to my nokia 6681>>>>>>>>. help me sir
sorry for taking your time, but im having a hard time fixing this up..
here is what my 3110c does,,
Settings/Configuration/Personal Configuration Settings/Add New/Access Point :
1. Account name
2. Access point settings
1. Data Bearer
1. GSM data
2. Packet data
2. Bearer Settings
1. Packet data access point
2. Network type
1. IPv4
2. IPv6
3. Authentication type
1. Normal
2. Secure
4. Username
5. Password
that’s all upon using …add new/access point
Settings/Configuration/Personal Configuration Settings/Add New/Web
1. Account name
2. Homepage
3. Username
4. Password
5. Use preferred access point
1. Yes
2. No (choosing no ask to define the access point)
6. Access point settings
1. Proxy
1. Enable (choosing enable, proxy add. and proxy port added)
2. Disable
2. Proxy address
3. Proxy port
4. Data bearer
1. GSM data
2. Packet data
5. Bearer settings
1. Packet data access point
2. Network type
1. IPv4
2. IPv6
3. Authentication type
1. Normal
2. Secure
4. Username
5. Password
by the way, choosing “GSM data” changes bearer settings
5. Bearer settings
1. Dial-up number
2. Athentication type
1. Normal
2. Secure
3. Data call type
1. Analogue
2. ISDN
4. Data call speed
1. Automatic
2. 9600
3. 14400
4. 19200
5. 28800
5. User name
6. Password
7. Display terminal
1. Yes
2. No
that’s all.. hope you can help.. thanks..
Choose Packet Data, it’s equivalent to GPRS.
Dennis, im losing hope.. is my 3110c not capable of the opera mini? i saw some settings but when it comes to the data bearer, there are only two options, GSM data and Packet data. there is no GPRS option..
is there no hope for me? please responce.. thanks
ralen,
Help you with what? Settings?
Settings for all Philippines operators are here: http://jackstoys.multiply.com/journal/item/3