iPhone 4 using H2O Wireless

Summary

I’ve been using a locked iPhone 4, using iOS 4.1 and up to the latest iOS 5.0 software, on the H2O Wireless Network since November 2010 without any problems. My plan is currently the $60 unlimited everything (phone, text & 3G data) plan. Below I outline the steps I took to make this locked iPhone 4 work on the H2O network with their data plan.

Note: This does not enable the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), or “picture messaging”, ability. There is currently no way that I have found to have BOTH 3G data and MMS working on a LOCKED iPhone 4. I have read that this is possible if you “jailbrake” your iPhone 4, however I don’t roll that way so I can’t verify this but do include the directions I’ve found below.

Get the SIM

First thing you need to do is purchase an H2O Wireless SIM card. You can do this online from their website here, or like I did from the local BestBuy store.

Modify the SIM

The H2O SIM card is the standard SIM size, but the iPhone 4 and newer uses the new micro-SIM (aka 3FF) form factor. While this micro-SIM format is physically smaller then the SIM format, the chip contact points are exactly the same.

Using this template and a pair of scissors (or perhaps a large kitchen knife) I was able to trim down the standard SIM to the micro-SIM format so that it fit correctly in my iPhone.

Activate the SIM

You now need to go to the H2O Wireless website and activate the SIM that you purchased. During this process you’ll need to select either the $50 unlimited phone + unlimited text + 250MB data plan or $60 unlimited phone + unlimited text + unlimited data plan.

The registration process took about 2 minutes for me, then I received an email with my new H2O Wireless phone number. You should now be able to send/receive phone calls and send/receive SMS (text) messages, however data (Internet) won’t work yet.

Configure the iPhone for H2O Wireless data

To use the iPhone 4 with the H2O 3G wireless data network, you need to have a configuration file so the phone knows how to talk to their data network. In the past you’d have to download the iPhone Configuration Utility, create your own custom configuration and then install it. However, H2O Wireless now makes it easy as they’ve created this configuration file for you.

To get the H2O-Config](https://www.h2owirelessnow.com/pageControl.php?page=IPhoneData) file, go here and enter your wireless phone number and you’ll receive a text message with the final steps to auto-configure your iPhone with H2O Wireless data.

At this point you should now be able to use the data capability of the iPhone, browsing the Internet using Safari, sending/receiving email, etc.

Enabling H2O Wireless Data & MMS on unlocked iPhone

Note: I haven’t performed these steps myself as I don’t want to “jailbreak” my iPhone. I cannot assist you with this process.

First, you’ll have to “jailbreak” your iPhone. If you choose to do this you should be able to find plenty of sites that offer directions on how to do this. I do not provide directions to do this here.

Second, follow the steps above to enable the H2O wireless data.

Third, open the app named “Cydia” on your phone, which is like an app store. Inside that search for an app named “APN Editing” which you’ll need to install.

You’ll configure your iPhone using the “APN Editing” application with the following settings:

MMS APN (Access Point Name): att.mvno
MMS URL: http://mmsc.cingular.com
Username: [leave it blank]
Passowrd: [leave it blank]
Proxy Address: wireless.cingular.com:80
Proxy Port: 80