[jcarlo]

So for the past two days I have been searching to how to get my sim card working on osx after using the guide here. Now I got it working and I want to share the info to the members because this site have been very friendly and usefull. First here is the info of my sim card: AT&T prepaid sim card. I'm using it on OSX 10.5.8. Please see the attached pic to see the configuration (see especially the changes I made in the ppp tab.


(From left to right)
First Pic: This is the AT&T APN Configuration
Second Pic: Follow this settings in the ppp tab
Third Pic: Shows you I'm connected
Fourth Pic: I'm online


reply if you like or any questions and I'll try to answer (but I'm just a noob)

[Montala]

Hi jcarlo, and thanks for your interesting post.

I have now noticed however that you are still on OS X 10.5.8. and would love to know whether these settings, or at least similar ones appropriate to the network concerned, would also work under Snow Leopard 10.6.2.

However, I am not suggesting for a moment that you try the upgrade yourself, as there is an old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it", which probably applies here!

Perhaps someone else, who is on AT&T, and who is currently running 10.6.2 would like to try them though!

[jcarlo]

Originally Posted by Montala

Hi jcarlo, and thanks for your interesting post.

I have now noticed however that you are still on OS X 10.5.8. and would love to know whether these settings, or at least similar ones appropriate to the network concerned, would also work under Snow Leopard 10.6.2.

However, I am not suggesting for a moment that you try the upgrade yourself, as there is an old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it", which probably applies here!

Perhaps someone else, who is on AT&T, and who is currently running 10.6.2 would like to try them though!

I'm actually going to try the SL this weekend I'll let you guys know.

[spookfx]

Hi Folks, I've made it to the other side of the pond for a few days, I've just got an AT&T PAYG sim, and even thought the store said it can't be done, yes I'm on the net courtesy of AT&T and my 10.6.2 DellMini9
the basic settings are:

APN (telephone number): wap.cingular
Username:WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password:CINGULAR1
in the advanced under PPP, turn off the tcp header compression and send PPP echo packets....
Have fun!

[spookfx]

Ok, one other thing to note, this is not the plan to use.... I have just burned through $15 loading 3 webpages.... at 1c per k this easily wastes money....
I signed up for the payg simple rate, in an AT&T store... I'll try calling customer services to find a better plan later tonight... wish me luck!

Thank heavens for a starbucks with at&t wifi hotspots... all you need is a US Starbucks account and a starbucks card, and then you get 2 hours free per day.... all this can be done instore and all you need is an active starbucks card... which is $5, and you can use that to pay towards a coffee too!!!!

[jcarlo]

Thank you for mentioning that spookfx! When I did connect on mine which also a prepaid plan. I went from $26 to $6 dollars. If only tmobile mobile works. They have this plan called Internet Only (Unlimited) $39, anyone tried it?

[spookfx]

well, I'm back in the UK now, but I did get in touch with AT&T and they said something along the lines of yeah, we know this is crap... apparently they are on the verge of launching a new service, but the representative was a bit vague on the matter....

I did feel like I was in the third world for a bit as I had rely on Wifi access, but fortunately there are lots of free / WEP encrypted access points all over metropolis areas.... Although I did find HUGE areas where there was no GSM coverage at all!

Good luck in finding a decent carrier out there!

spookfx

Originally Posted by spookfx

Ok, one other thing to note, this is not the plan to use.... I have just burned through $15 loading 3 webpages.... at 1c per k this easily wastes money....
I signed up for the payg simple rate, in an AT&T store... I'll try calling customer services to find a better plan later tonight... wish me luck!

Thank heavens for a starbucks with at&t wifi hotspots... all you need is a US Starbucks account and a starbucks card, and then you get 2 hours free per day.... all this can be done instore and all you need is an active starbucks card... which is $5, and you can use that to pay towards a coffee too!!!!

[Wm.Mays]

Originally Posted by spookfx

well, I'm back in the UK now, but I did get in touch with AT&T and they said something along the lines of yeah, we know this is crap... apparently they are on the verge of launching a new service, but the representative was a bit vague on the matter....

I did feel like I was in the third world for a bit as I had rely on Wifi access, but fortunately there are lots of free / WEP encrypted access points all over metropolis areas.... Although I did find HUGE areas where there was no GSM coverage at all!

Good luck in finding a decent carrier out there!

spookfx

For those visiting US with need for SIM with data, here's some info that may help. There are only 2 GSM cell networks in US that use SIM cards, AT&T & T-Mobile. The other 2 major networks, Version (Vodaphone) & Sprint are CDMA networks (no SIM cards). Neither AT&T or T-Mobile have a prepay data plans as are customary in other countries. However, AT&T is testing this now. T-Mobile does not have any prepaid type data only plans, and AT&T's Go Phones (prepaid) plans have ridiculous data cost as spookfx noted.

AT&T is testing prepaid data now though. You need an AT&T SIM and the following web page to sign up. You can get an AT&T SIM at any of hundreds of AT&T locations, or on ebay. Once you have the SIM, go to the following web page to sign up. I have been told this is the only way to activate the SIM for prepaid data at this time. You cannot call AT&T or go to a store to get this service. Page is:

https://buyasession.att.com/sbd/unau...iateSBD.action

Its still very expensive, but there's no other options as the cell companies are all geared toward postpaid plans with 2 year contracts. The only other option now is DataJack.com or Virgin Broadband2go, but you'll have to buy their modems for $100 first. Hope this helps....

[spookfx]

Originally Posted by Wm.Mays

For those visiting US with need for SIM with data, here's some info that may help. There are only 2 GSM cell networks in US that use SIM cards, AT&T & T-Mobile. The other 2 major networks, Version (Vodaphone) & Sprint are CDMA networks (no SIM cards). Neither AT&T or T-Mobile have a prepay data plans as are customary in other countries. However, AT&T is testing this now. T-Mobile does not have any prepaid type data only plans, and AT&T's Go Phones (prepaid) plans have ridiculous data cost as spookfx noted.

AT&T is testing prepaid data now though. You need an AT&T SIM and the following web page to sign up. You can get an AT&T SIM at any of hundreds of AT&T locations, or on ebay. Once you have the SIM, go to the following web page to sign up. I have been told this is the only way to activate the SIM for prepaid data at this time. You cannot call AT&T or go to a store to get this service. Page is:

https://buyasession.att.com/sbd/unau...iateSBD.action

Its still very expensive, but there's no other options as the cell companies are all geared toward postpaid plans with 2 year contracts. The only other option now is DataJack.com or Virgin Broadband2go, but you'll have to buy their modems for $100 first. Hope this helps....

Wm.Mays Thank you for doing the research! I knew I felt like I was in a third world country asking for something unheard of when I was speaking to the sales staff in the AT&T store... I hope the US catches up soon as I like having mobile internet access and I love my dell mini! If there are any changes you hear about can you please keep this thread up to date?

Thanks

SpookFX

[Wm.Mays]

Originally Posted by spookfx

Wm.Mays Thank you for doing the research! I knew I felt like I was in a third world country asking for something unheard of when I was speaking to the sales staff in the AT&T store... I hope the US catches up soon as I like having mobile internet access and I love my dell mini! If there are any changes you hear about can you please keep this thread up to date?

Thanks

SpookFX

No problem spookfx. I'm always looking for least expensive way to get data for my mini's in US. Problem here is, all 4 cell providers structure their plans around postpaid on contract plans. Prepaid is more rare here, and prepaid data is even more rare and expensive.