Escape from Globe IPhone Mobile Internet Usage Unexplained charges

If you’re using an iPhone from one of Globe’s post paid plans and you’d be so unhappy to find out your bill is way above your expected consumption, perhaps everyone is. Then you need to adjust something in your APN Settings, you can do that thru Settings > General > Network > Cellular Data Network. By default, the value is set to “internet.globe.com.ph”, erase or change to something else that is invalid, your phone will work just fine without it. Though, in places where there is no wi-fi signal available and you want use internet, mail or IM, you need to revert to its original value. Quite a procedure though, but its the only solution for now.

iphone-apn-settings-window

My recent two month bills incredibly reduced compare to my first month usage – a whooping PHP4,800! It’s now down to 1,400 to 1,500.

The issue is, iPhone is submitting usage bytes to this URL while you’re connected to the internet, over wi-fi or 3G. Yes, the plan came with 40 hours of mobile internet plus free usage on any globewiz hotspots, but I rarely use that. So since then, I only reset to default URL only when I need internet on the road or paid wi-fi is the only available resource.

What happens if you purchase wi-fi access on a coffee shop, you paid the access and you’re also metered by Globe, ouch! Unacceptable!

Ok, a little googling took me here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2283, think this supports my purpose of removing the APN.

New theme installed

Thanks to ndesign-studio for this very nice theme. I guess you figured out what it’s trying to emulate, right – iPhone / Mac. But I don’t have a Mac, only the iPhone. What I like about this system is that it looks really firm, stable, though not too colorful or fancy skins, it is pretty solid in its own.

I retain the random quotes below the header, that’s what I had in Ice theme.

iPhone in the palm of my hands

Finally, I was able to take home my dream phone today.

Submitted my requirements at Globe Business Center at 5th Floor Building A at Megamall, at around 11 a.m. Waited til past 12, but the wait was starving, so we told the Customer Rep that we need to get lunch and return. We had lunch at the 2nd floor along the Bridgeway, then just when we’re about to smoke at the carpark, the Globe staff called me and said “ok na po sir, balik na po kayo sa Globe”. Wow! my worry about getting declined was gone when I heard that. So I went to the nearest ATM booth to withdraw. Here’s the amount that I paid.

For the 8GB iPhone 15,100.00 + 1,599.00 = 16,699.00

15,100 for the unit, and one month advance subscription.

iPhone first before long weekend

Today, Globe launches iPhone 3G in the Philippines, whoa!!! I have been waiting for it since Apple’s first release. I once paid for iPhone over an Auction site back in May, but unfortunately, I wasted my time waiting for the seller to deliver the unit. After nearly 2 weeks, I contacted the Escrow agent and had the refund of my payment.

Now, the wait is over. I’m going to get the post-paid plan for 15991 a month, with 100 local voice minutes, 350 sms, 40 mobile internet hours, and 20 Wiz Wi-Fi hours in a month. Not bad! I probably not go over that features, so its ok for me.

Then, hoping I get this before tonight, we’ll go straight to province to relax. No plans yet, probably get lazy or off to a resort. Not sure. Hoping for a long great weekend (with my iPhone, ;) hopefully)! On second thought, I may not be totally offline with it. Nahhhh!

Source: http://www.iphone3g.globe.com.ph/i/i?id=2256650