Hands0n
2nd October 2010, 12:29 PM
Elsewhere on Talk3G (https://talk3g.co.uk/showthread.php?8304-Dell-Streak-running-2.1) I have been contributing to a discussion on experiences with the Dell Streak, a 5" Android mobile device that is somewhere between a mobile smartphone and an Internet Tablet device.
I elected to use the Three mobile network operator for this long-term experiment. I say experiment because it is a two-pronged assessment of not only the Dell Streak itself but the Three network in its most recent incarnation. Not the least attractive because of its involvement in the MBNL joint venture to merge 3G networks with T-Mobile, something that has proven to be very successful and beneficial to the customer so far.
The issue that I encountered, and what this specific posting is all about, is the use of Three to access the Internet on such a device.
The problem
Android has a rich set of APNs configured in the OS, usually these select automatically depending upon which mobile network the device attaches to. And with Three that is where my particular problem set in.
Being an adult of several years I feel fully competent at making my own decision as to what I want to see on the Internet. As such, I do take some enjoyment reading Sickipedia.org occasionally. But Three have deemed that "Adult Content" and have it blocked by default - all Three accounts are content barred to the lowest common denominator by default.
Getting the content bar lifted
Well, good luck to you if you can achieve that. I had two attempts with Three's infamous Customer Service centre in India.
The first call resulted in me being transferred to their "technical department" where I had to reiterate my security credentials. The CS operator there did not understand the term "content bar" and we had to eventually agree that I wanted to access "adult content" - I didn't actually want that, but hey ho, if it works.
It didn't. I was told four hours may be required - so I left it to the next day. Entering the URL http://sickipedia.org took me via Three's proxy servers to their very own "Top Shelf" handset portal where I could, if I wanted, see all manner of soft pornography. I didn't actually want or ask for that!!
Attempt No. 2
So last night it was back on to Three's Customer Services for a second attempt at getting this right. This time I only had to offer my security credentials once - despite having already created a security PIN that I was told would negate the need for such security checks. The CS operator this time understood the expression "content bar" and proceeded to examine my account. It took quite a while, after which he advised me that there were absolutely no restrictions on my mobile phone number, I had full and unfettered access to the Internet. But, in the words of many a famous pantomime, "Oh no I didn't".
The CS operator suggested that my device was not compatible with the website I was trying to visit, to which I explained it worked fine via WiFi. He then tried to convince me that there was an incompatibility on my device over 3G only and not WiFi. This was starting to get "irritating" and so I thanked him for his kind attention and patience, and bade him goodnight. Why do they do this? An "I don't know" would have sufficed.
Saved by a Talk3G'er
At this point I have to say a big "Thank you" to DB Mandrake, one of our Talk3G members who just happened to see some of my outpourings to Three's team via Twitter.
He suggested that I edit the APN in my handset from "three.co.uk" to "3internet", the latter is used by their Dongles and MiFi devices. A good and very timely reminder that I had completely forgotten about, it has been so long since I have been fiddling around with Three's stuff at this level.
It worked a treat. I am able to access the website I wanted to and without having to get stonewalled at a soft porn mobile portal. Great! :)
In Summary
By default the Three APN for a mobile device is three.co.uk
If you want unrestricted internet change the APN to 3internet
The APN 3internet is used by Three's mobile Internet dongles and MiFi devices
I elected to use the Three mobile network operator for this long-term experiment. I say experiment because it is a two-pronged assessment of not only the Dell Streak itself but the Three network in its most recent incarnation. Not the least attractive because of its involvement in the MBNL joint venture to merge 3G networks with T-Mobile, something that has proven to be very successful and beneficial to the customer so far.
The issue that I encountered, and what this specific posting is all about, is the use of Three to access the Internet on such a device.
The problem
Android has a rich set of APNs configured in the OS, usually these select automatically depending upon which mobile network the device attaches to. And with Three that is where my particular problem set in.
Being an adult of several years I feel fully competent at making my own decision as to what I want to see on the Internet. As such, I do take some enjoyment reading Sickipedia.org occasionally. But Three have deemed that "Adult Content" and have it blocked by default - all Three accounts are content barred to the lowest common denominator by default.
Getting the content bar lifted
Well, good luck to you if you can achieve that. I had two attempts with Three's infamous Customer Service centre in India.
The first call resulted in me being transferred to their "technical department" where I had to reiterate my security credentials. The CS operator there did not understand the term "content bar" and we had to eventually agree that I wanted to access "adult content" - I didn't actually want that, but hey ho, if it works.
It didn't. I was told four hours may be required - so I left it to the next day. Entering the URL http://sickipedia.org took me via Three's proxy servers to their very own "Top Shelf" handset portal where I could, if I wanted, see all manner of soft pornography. I didn't actually want or ask for that!!
Attempt No. 2
So last night it was back on to Three's Customer Services for a second attempt at getting this right. This time I only had to offer my security credentials once - despite having already created a security PIN that I was told would negate the need for such security checks. The CS operator this time understood the expression "content bar" and proceeded to examine my account. It took quite a while, after which he advised me that there were absolutely no restrictions on my mobile phone number, I had full and unfettered access to the Internet. But, in the words of many a famous pantomime, "Oh no I didn't".
The CS operator suggested that my device was not compatible with the website I was trying to visit, to which I explained it worked fine via WiFi. He then tried to convince me that there was an incompatibility on my device over 3G only and not WiFi. This was starting to get "irritating" and so I thanked him for his kind attention and patience, and bade him goodnight. Why do they do this? An "I don't know" would have sufficed.
Saved by a Talk3G'er
At this point I have to say a big "Thank you" to DB Mandrake, one of our Talk3G members who just happened to see some of my outpourings to Three's team via Twitter.
He suggested that I edit the APN in my handset from "three.co.uk" to "3internet", the latter is used by their Dongles and MiFi devices. A good and very timely reminder that I had completely forgotten about, it has been so long since I have been fiddling around with Three's stuff at this level.
It worked a treat. I am able to access the website I wanted to and without having to get stonewalled at a soft porn mobile portal. Great! :)
In Summary
By default the Three APN for a mobile device is three.co.uk
If you want unrestricted internet change the APN to 3internet
The APN 3internet is used by Three's mobile Internet dongles and MiFi devices