Filed under: Software Update, iPhone
What's up with the iPhone Carrier Update?
If you checked for updates for your US-based iPhone in iTunes in the last day or two, you should have seen this:
The standard Apple explanation from the Knowledge Base:
iTunes 7.7 and later has the ability to update the carrier specific settings on iPhone with iPhone 2.0 software or later. Carrier settings updates are small files (about 10k) that are downloaded from iTunes to be installed on your iPhone. The carrier settings can include updates to the default APN (how iPhone accesses the carrier's cellular data network), special dialing codes at Settings > Phone > [Carrier] Services, default settings for Stocks, Maps, Weather, and other items.
So what's actually in this update?
Logo replacements, apparently, for AT&T's upcoming MicroCell service (at the time of this writing, the page is in maintenance mode). 2 images, light and dark versions of the image on the left (courtesy of MobileCrunch). Commenters at The iPhone Blog also confirm the revised connectivity image. Our own commenters note that Apple has added settings for the Mobily network (Saudi Arabia) and Etisalat (United Arab Emirates) in this update as well, which adds weight to the expected 2/15 launch of the iPhone in those countries.
Editor's Note: Canadian and European customers report no carrier update for them, which is understandable considering the AT&T-centric content of this update. To all of our international readers, if we got you all excited about this update, our apologies for your disappointment. With the exception of Jason, we don't have non-US iPhones to test with, so we often can't say for sure whether a specific update is universal or domestic-only.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Karukuubis said 1:09PM on 2-07-2009
I live in Estonia and I bought my iPhone from Italy, without a operator lock. Now in Estonia i'm using it on another network than the one the iPhone is sold in Estonia. Always when I sync my phone with the computer i get the annoying text. There's no way around it :(
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Ben said 11:30AM on 2-07-2009
The APN update is perhaps similar to when I call Verizon activation to update my roaming capability.
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James said 11:32AM on 2-07-2009
The MicroCell must be days, if not weeks away! I will finally have reception at my house!
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Jon said 12:58PM on 2-07-2009
But should you have to? Surely it is AT&T's job to ensure coverage (particularly as they say "more bars in more places")? Why should the end-user have to pay extra to cover AT&T's deficiencies?
I don't know the specifics of AT&T's offering but Sprint's one charges you for the box, charges you a monthly fee on top of your existing monthly fee, then subtracts those calling minutes from your allowance even though you are not even using their network. And the only reason you bought it in the first place is because their coverage was so poor. They must be laughing all the way to the bank.
James said 1:05PM on 2-07-2009
Honestly, I've come to accept it, I do live just outside of the city in a valley, so outdoors I get a few bars but step inside and it's basically gone... No provider gets reception inside of my house...
As far as I've gathered so far with AT&T's there will be an option that will give you unlimited minutes - who knows how much that'll cost.
But honestly, I don't expect much from any of the carriers. I'm surprised we even have 3G in this country..
At this point I'll gladly pay for service in my house and enjoy the new "FU Service from AT&T - Less bars in more places...."
mcg said 1:08PM on 2-07-2009
James: "Why should the end-user have to pay extra to cover AT&T's deficiencies?" Who else is going to pay for it? Seriously, where do you think AT&T gets the money to build out its network?
Look, in all seriousness, I have a little bit of experience in this area. Wireless coverage is subject to the 90/10 rule in the worst kind of way. That is, the vast majority of coverage is easy, but taking out those nulls and holes is a major pain. You could easily double or triple your network costs just to fill in those few holes---and of course, those costs are passed on to every single subscriber. That's assuming that it's even *possible* to fill the holes; after all, AT&T can't put up a cel tower anywhere it wants to.
At some point it just makes fiscal sense to accept imperfections in the network. And I think that the subscribers to any cel phone network would agree, if they understood what it would cost them to absorb the necessary network upgrades to broaden coverage or fill in holes.
I'm not trying to justify specific AT&T practices, like downgrading its 2G service as it ramps up its 3G service, etc. But I think it's important to be realistic and note that wireless coverage can never be perfect in a cost-constrained system.
James said 1:12PM on 2-07-2009
Thanks MCG- my thoughts exactly that, the system is imperfect, you just need to accept. It's not like there'll be any massive reform by the providers so at this point, there's no point in complaining- in my opinion... Just try and laugh about it...
And I think you meant to reference Jon, not me...
mcg said 2:05PM on 2-07-2009
Yes, I meant Jon, of course. Thanks for noting that!
terry said 10:25PM on 2-07-2009
don't get ATT's til you compare their prices with the cost of an xBoost: I got the yx510 and it works great. I wish I'd done it long ago, but i kept deluding myself into thinking ATT would improve the tower situation at my house. Not!
http://www.wi-ex.com/
JD said 11:22PM on 2-07-2009
@mcg
Yet somehow, it was done with wire phone service. It just takes collective action and a federal mandate. If America had been as phobic of such things back during the original telephone rollout, 10% of the country would still lack phone service. Similarly, we should mandate universal broadband access. A little regulation does not instantly ruin capitalism.
JohnJohn said 11:38AM on 2-07-2009
tethering finally
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Shahin said 11:40AM on 2-07-2009
Since the very first day me and a friend have “@@@@@@“ on top left instead of any logo. The Guy at the T-Mobile shop was as surprised as us. #German-legal-iphone
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schroef said 11:46AM on 2-07-2009
I'd like to see a screenshot of that. Sounds pretty cool :P
Pepi said 11:48AM on 2-07-2009
Shahin,
that is a common problem with very old SIM cards from T-Mobile. Just have them exchange the SIM to a newer model which they should do for free.
Best regards
Pepi
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Anwar said 11:58AM on 2-07-2009
Apple added mobily setting for Saudi Arabia and etisalat for United Arab Emirates in this update.
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Jinto said 12:02PM on 2-07-2009
I wonder what it will do for jailbroken/yellowsn0w'd iPhones?
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Shahin said 12:03PM on 2-07-2009
Ah OK, I I see. Thanks Pepi!
It is not really disturbing but I always wondered why.
Sometimes when it tries to find a carrier there is an animation and the @s squeezes in to their place! little weird...
And here schroef: http://shahin.de/downers/iPhone_SS.jpg
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MRCUR said 3:06PM on 2-07-2009
That's awesome...
tys said 12:35PM on 2-07-2009
This didn't seem to cause any trouble on my jailbroken (but not unlocked) phone. It updates in a matter of seconds and doesn't do any kind of reboot or sync.
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josh said 12:23PM on 2-07-2009
What does this do to jailbroke iPhones?
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