Apple iPhone Internet

Smartphones such as the iPhone are an amalgam of several gadgets in one, such as a digital camera, a personal media player, a GPS device and a pocket-sized computer, which lets you connect to the internet on the go. What’s particularly impressive about the iPhone is that it can show regular web pages properly like a PC’s standard internet browser, and it does this smoothly and quickly. If you want to start enjoying internet on the go in your iPhone, then keep reading and we’ll show you how.

By default, your iPhone connects to the internet automatically whenever you use the following apps:

  • iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
  • Mail
  • Maps
  • Safari (the iPhone’s internet browser)
  • Stocks
  • The App Store
  • Weather
  • YouTube

 

Your iPhone will do the following in specific order until it connects to the internet:

1.    It will attempt to connect to the last available Wi-Fi network that you used.
2.    If there are no available Wi-Fi networks, the iPhone will display a list of Wi-Fi networks that it can detect. Select any of these networks. If the Wi-Fi network displays a padlock icon next to it, you will need to enter a password to access the network.
3.    If there are no Wi-Fi networks in the vicinity or if you did not choose any (since you don’t know the password!), your iPhone will connect to the internet using the cellular network, which could either be GSM, EDGE, or any of those new protocols like 3G or HSDPA. As long as your iPhone is configured, it will connect automatically.

If your iPhone is not configured, you will have to do the following:

1.    Open ‘Settings’ on your Home screen.
2.    Select ‘General’, then ‘Network’. If you’re using an earlier iPhone model or iOS version, look for ‘Edge’ instead of ‘Network’.
3.    Select ‘Cellular Network Data’. This is called ‘AFN’ in earlier iPhone models/iOS versions.
4.    The content of the APN, username and password fields depends on your telecom provider. You can get these settings from your carrier’s tech support or website. For instance, you can try connecting to Telstra’s network by entering ‘telstra.internet’ in the APN field then leaving the username and password blank.
5.    You’re done! You can now use any of the apps that automatically connect to the internet.

Some reminders:

  • Telecom providers require GPRS, EDGE and other internet services to be activated on your mobile phone before you can use them. To activate these services, you need to contact your telecom provider.
  • Make sure your Wi-Fi is turned off to test if your cellular connection to the internet is working.
  • If you’re on a call, you won’t be able to connect to the internet using the cellular network.
  • If you want faster internet, go for Wi-Fi instead of your cellular network. Wi-Fi is (usually) free as well, but hotspots can be hard to find.
  • If you’re outside your provider’s coverage, you can use another cellular network, as long as you know its APN, username and password.