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  How to Set GPRS on Cheap QWERTY Phones

  Rohan Naravane, Sep 22, 2010 1346 hrs IST

  Getting mobile internet running on these phones can be a daunting task

  

We know a lot of people are buying inexpensive QWERTY phones from Indian companies like Micromax, MVL, Lemon, Karbonn etc. And while these phone may seem to sport different interfaces, many a times it's merely a skin-job and the underlying OS is pretty much similar. Now, a major highlight of these under-Rs. 5,000 phones is the ability to give its users a taste of the mobile web. It comes pre-installed with Java-based apps like Opera Mini, Nimbuzz, Snaptu etc.

When we tested a few of them, the first hurdle we reached was to get GPRS working for the pre-installed Java apps. It wasn't exactly 'one-click' in most, and we had to fiddle through the menus to get it working. And now for those distressed for not being able to use GPRS on their Micromax' or Lavas', here's a step-by-step walk-through. We've tried and got it right on the following phones, and are confident that the steps will be more or less the same on any inexpensive phone you might be using from any Indian company.

MVL G81

1) Go to Fun & Games -> Java -> Java Settings -> Java SIM 'x' Profile (where x is either 1 or 2)

Here, depending on which slot you've entered the SIM through, select the suitable operator name. For e.g. if you use Airtel, then select 'Airtel Live'. Then, open up a Java app (say Opera Mini or something) to try if this works. If not, select any other option with your operator name. For instance, IDEA users have two options: 'Idea Fresh' and 'Idea Internet'. If your operator is not listed, then:

Go to the Main Menu -> Settings -> Connectivity -> Data Account -> GPRS

Here, you'll see a list of built-in settings for various Indian mobile operators. Click Options -> Add. Type in the account name, APN (Access Point Name) and other details if necessary (different operators require you to fill up some or many of the given fields). If you don't have this info, you can call their helpline and note it down from them or visit their website. On websites they'll mostly have this under Value Added Services (VAS) -> GPRS -> Settings. For example, Loop Mobile has their settings put up here. 

After your done, select Options -> Save. Now go to the "Java Settings" menu mentioned in Step 1, and select your newly created internet profile.  

2) If this isn't working, then you're either not using the correct settings or you're not subscribed to a GPRS service to begin with. You'll first need to know what GPRS plan you use. Operators mostly have two types of Internet schemes; one is basic GPRS, where all the usage is restricted to your phone (in case of say Vodafone Live!), while other advanced plans let you tether your phone to a computer to siphon off its internet (as in the case of Vodafone Mobile Connect).

Some subscribers also do not allow the use of third party apps on your phone to use GPRS, it will only let you open websites in the built-in browser. So, if you have tried hard to get something working and it hasn't, then it's best to call your operator's helpline number to ask them which GPRS scheme you're on, and what it offers.
 
Micromax Q5fb

On Micromax Q5, the settings are more or less the same as the MVL G81. 

1) Go to Main Menu -> Settings -> Connectivity -> Data Account -> GPRS

Here, check if your operator name lies in this list. If not, then Click Options -> Add and fill in the necessary details, which you can get by either calling the helpline or going to their website. While adding if it says the Maximum Limit has been reached, delete an already existing profile of any operator that you're not going to use.

2) Now, go to Services -> WAP -> Settings -> Profiles -> SIM 'x' (Where x is either 1 or 2)

You should see your newly created profile, or the one that was already existing in the step before. Highlight that and click Options -> Activate Profile. 

3) Go to Fun and Games -> Java settings

Scroll down to see Java Profile, and scroll sideways till you select the same profile you activated in the step above. 

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