No Wifi available, phone uses cell network??

[annk]

I've read in the iPhone user's guide that when no wifi is available, the phone will use the cell provider's network to access the net. Does this really happen automatically, and if so, is there a way to turn this function off?

I've got a friend asking me this - she tells me that her phone accesses online material when there's no wifi, and she doesn't want to pay her cell phone company for the access. At first I thought she just didn't see that there actually WAS a wifi where she was, but after taking a look in the manual, I'm not so sure anymore.

Thanks in advance.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

I've read in the iPhone user's guide that when no wifi is available, the phone will use the cell provider's network to access the net. Does this really happen automatically, and if so, is there a way to turn this function off?

I've got a friend asking me this - she tells me that her phone accesses online material when there's no wifi, and she doesn't want to pay her cell phone company for the access. At first I thought she just didn't see that there actually WAS a wifi where she was, but after taking a look in the manual, I'm not so sure anymore.

Thanks in advance.

if it's for the iPhone then she has an unlimited data plan (unless the phone is unlocked) so she shouldn't be being charged. if it is unlocked then under settings there is a switch to turn off the edge network.

 

[annk]

if it's for the iPhone then she has an unlimited data plan (unless the phone is unlocked) so she shouldn't be being charged. if it is unlocked then under settings there is a switch to turn off the edge network.

It's an unlocked phone - she's using it here in Norway, and does not have an unlimited plan - she pays for all net access that goes over the cellular net.

Will turning off edge in the settings really keep her phone from automatically accessing the net via her cell provider, even if she's only using the GMS network? If so, then that's the answer to her problem.

 

[Koodauw]

What is accessing the net? mail or safari?

 

[annk]

What is accessing the net? mail or safari?

Mail, updates on weather, time, and stocks.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

yes. turning off edge does just that. it turns off edge.

 

[annk]

yes. turning off edge does just that. it turns off edge.

I get that, I just wonder if it also turns off net access by GSM. In other words, if she turns off edge access on the iPhone, will the phone just use the GSM network? In that case, she still has a problem.

 

[sparkyms]

EDGE is net access via GSM...

 

[annk]

EDGE is net access via GSM...

But is it not true that while not all areas have EDGE (or 3G, for that matter), it's still possible to use a cell phone by GSM? The reason I have thought this, is that our 3G network here has gradually been built out, and now I can use 3G just about everywhere. Earlier, I would have to switch the settings on my phone to GSM only to be able to use it in areas with no 3G. I thought EDGE was another high-speed network, as is 3G.

Sorry for my ignorance of terms here, I thought I had a handle on it.

But apparently there is an app for the iPhone that will let my friend choose not to go online when there's no wifi available. I talked to someone here today who's installed it on his own phone, and he's going to take over the problem for me.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

the GSM network and edge are the same thing. you don't need the application. Why don't you try turning off edge and then opening safari! It just won't work.

edit: do you not want to use the phone, or just not use the data connection? if you want the phone turned off as well put it in airplane mode. (via the settings)

 

[annk]

the GSM network and edge are the same thing. you don't need the application. Why don't you try turning off edge and then opening safari! It just won't work.

edit: do you not want to use the phone, or just not use the data connection? if you want the phone turned off as well put it in airplane mode. (via the settings)

Ok, thanks for the network explanation. As far as turning off EDGE, I thought of that (as a temporary fix, at least, until I figured this out), but when I went into the settings and found it, there was actually no place to turn it off. And anyway, she wants to be able to use the phone, just doesn't want it to access Internet when there's no wifi available. I assume that turning off EDGE = turning of the network that carries phone traffic (which is also why using airplane mode isn't an answer here - in addition to the fact that she DOES want to access Internet when there's a wifi network available).

But as I said, someone else is taking over the problem now. He says this app he's going to install will do what she wants. Thanks for all the answers.