WWDC AT&T Prepaid Data

So you want to get data running on your unlocked iPhone while you’re in San Francisco. I’ve got no idea if this works on all iPhones, but it works on off the shelf New Zealand sold iPhones (which are unlocked by default). Here’s how:

Step 1: Don’t tell the AT&T assistant you want a prepaid SIM with data for your iPhone. They will tell you that prepaid data will not work on iPhones. (Which is kind of true. The prepaid APN is different to the standard APN used on iPhones, and you don’t have the option of manually setting the APN on the iPhone when an AT&T SIM is inserted. The carrier bundle blocks it, but you can override this without jailbreaking)

Step 2: Ask for a paygo SIM (they don’t seem to like loading data add ons onto Micro SIMs, so you’ll have to cut down a standard size SIM for the iPhone 4 or iPad) The plan is unlimited calls and SMS for $2 a day, and you must load $25 credit when you purchase. Then you add a data pack on (I did 500MB for $25). So $50 all up.

Step 3: Head down to Coles hardware on 4th Street (Opposite the Marriott) and grab a Stanley knife (box cutters here in the US?). You’ll need this to cut and whittle the full size SIM down to Micro SIM size.

Step 4: Insert the SIM and make sure it connects to the network. You’ll notice now however, that you don’t have data access. This is because the iPhone is trying to use an iPhone specific APN to connect, and you don’t have an iPhone data plan. So, on your Mac, fire up the iPhone Configuration Utility, create a custom configuration profile. Under the ‘Advaced’ section, enter the following APN details:

APN: wap.cingular

Access Point Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM

Access Point Password: CINGULAR1

Install the configuration profile on your iPhone.

Step 5: Revel in your new prepaid data service on your iPhone.

Layton