Manual 3G Settings for Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, BSNL, Docomo & More

by Binoy xavier on May 3, 2011

3G Settings India Telecom

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After much hype and hoopla over spectrum allocation finally we now have 3G services across India from private players along with state-owned BSNL and MTNL. The private players including Bharati Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Reliance, STel, Aircel and Tata Docomo is offering high bandwidth third-generation telephony services clubbed with various data packs in the circles where they have won license to operate. The state-owned MTNL and pan India operator BSNL have been in market much before the introduction of 3G services by private players and is doing well.

Be it smartphone or a tablet device you need to activate 3G on your existing SIM card to get settings automatically for using 3G data services. While most of the smartphones can automatically enable the settings you get from service providers there may be situations where you have to manually edit and configure 3G APN settings.

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In order to use 3G services you need to choose and enable 3G network on your handset (UMTS/Dual mode). Once you have enabled 3G and your phone is ready to accept 3G network data you can go ahead edit or set up a new Access Point Name (APN) profile. Here is step-by-step guide on how to configure/ create a new APN profile in iOS (iPhone, iPad), Android and Symbian.

How to configure data network in iOS:

  1. Go to Settings> General> Network.
  2. Under “Network” settings select “Cellular Data Network”.
  3. Add APN (below post).
  4. Leave Username and Password blank.
  5. Done.

iPhone iOS APN

How to configure APN settings in Android:

  1. Go to Menu> Settings> Wireless & networks.
  2. Now select “Mobile networks” and then “Access Point Names”.
  3. Click “Menu” and then “New APN”.
  4. Enter Name and APN (below).
  5. Leave Username, Password and other entries blank.
  6. Save and activate.

Android APN Settings

How to configure APN settings in Symbian:

  1. Go to Menu > Settings > Configurations.
  2. Select Personal Configuration settings > Add.
  3. Fill in Account Name.
  4. Select Access Point Settings > Bearer Settings.
  5. Enter the Access Point Name (APN).
  6. Leave Username and Password blank.
  7. Go back to Personal Configuration menu.
  8. Select the Account Name and click Option and choose Activate.
  9. Done.

Symbian APN Settings

1. BSNL 3G APN Settings

BSNL with license to operate pan India expect for Delhi and Mumbai where MTNL will be in place. Try to set the following APN under mobile phone or data card settings,

Name: Airtel
APN: bsnlnet

  • gprssouth.cellone.in (South Zone)
  • gprsnorth.cellone.in (North Zone)

Leave all other settings blank

Read our detailed BSNL 3G review with bandwidth and transfer speed tests here. For latest BSNL 3G data plans check this link.

BSNL Logo

2. Airtel 3G APN Settings

Bharati Airtel has won 3G spectrum license to operate in Delhi, Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh (West), Rajasthan, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, North East, Jammu & Kashmir. Go to your phones mobile network settings and add a new connection or edit existing network,

To activate send SMS as 3G to 121

Name: Airtel
APN: airtelgprs.com
Leave all other settings blank

Airtel Logo

3. Vodafone 3G APN Settings

Vodafone won spectrum for Delhi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata, Haryana, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh (East).

To activate send SMS ‘ACT 3G’ to 111

Name: Vodafone
APN: www
Leave all other settings blank

Vodafone

4. Tata Docomo 3G APN Settings (Updated)

Tata Docomo won spectrum licence and is operating in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (West), Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Read our Tata Docomo 3G data review here.

To activate 3G SMS ACT3G to 53333

Name: Tata Docomo
APN: Tata.Docomo.Internet
Leave all other settings blank

Tata Docomo Logo

5. Reliance 3G APN Settings

Reliance Communications has won spectrum in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, North East, Jammu & Kashmir.

To activate send SMS to 51234 with plan code.

Name: Airtel
APN: rcomnet” or “smarinet”
Leave all other settings blank

Reliance Logo

6. Aircel 3G APN Settings

Aircel has won spectrum license in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata, Kerala, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (East), West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, North East and Jammu & Kashmir choose 3G network on your handset (UMTS/Dual) to access 3G service Otherwise, you can access portal using same the  GPRS connections settings.

To activate send “START 3G” to 121

Name: Airtel
APN: aircelgprs
Leave all other settings blank

Aircel Logo

7. Idea 3G APN Settings (Updated)

Idea cellular has won spectrum license in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (E), Uttar Pradesh (W), Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.

To activate 3G SMS ACT3G to 12345

Name: Idea
APN: internet
Leave all other settings blank

 

Idea Logo

8. MTNL 3G APN Settings

To activate MTNL 3G

  • Prepaid : SMS `ACT 3G` to 444
  • Postpaid : Dial 1503

Name: MTNL
APN:  “pps3g” (prepaid) and “mtnl3g” (postpaid).
Leave all other settings blank

MTNL Logo

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Comments on this entry are closed.

{ 41 comments }

Vinod May 24, 2011 at 5:22 PM

A very useful post. Thank you Binoy.

Gagan May 24, 2011 at 6:01 PM

is airtel 3g in punjab is launch

Mikku Mithilesh May 25, 2011 at 8:02 AM

These posts r really maasst…
i’ve to know that is there any start being taken to launch 4g in any part of india…?

pavithren May 31, 2011 at 1:48 PM

Thanks so much!!!

utpal June 16, 2011 at 1:43 PM

Now I am using a LG P350 optimus
android 2.2 and want to use BSNL 3G but getting problem with setting. please help me to manual setting anyone. please give me full setting details on vikash_utpal@rediffmail.com (I am from bihar). Thanking you

Elango June 17, 2011 at 10:46 AM

Thank you, very helpful post

Vikas July 14, 2011 at 6:50 AM

Thank you Binoy.
A very useful post.

Hitboy July 18, 2011 at 8:12 PM

Thanks very useful post ..,is there any way to activate 3G on iPad because I forgot to activate on smart phone ..now I can send SMS to airtel using iPad???

amit vashistha July 24, 2011 at 4:56 PM

a very useful post. helped me a lot. thanx Binoy

sunil July 28, 2011 at 6:54 AM

Please send me various service provider APN for Idea and others .
I am using a 3g reliane data card

regards
sunil

Altaf July 30, 2011 at 10:56 PM

settings for Idea 3G are not correct. imis is not accepted.

RP248 August 6, 2011 at 1:49 PM

for idea 3g use “internet” as the access point.

anshul July 31, 2011 at 10:22 PM

has 3g airtel service is activated in mp??

pritish August 3, 2011 at 11:47 PM

does all the above methods work in data cards as well?

sushrut August 7, 2011 at 4:49 PM

thank you

Prasad August 21, 2011 at 8:07 AM

thank you

I think you missed TATA INDICOM August 25, 2011 at 12:11 PM

I think you missed TATA INDICOM which is really required.bcoz thier customer care also doesn’t have it.pathetic customer care. the worst of all.

Ian Miles August 25, 2011 at 2:47 PM

Settings for Three (UK)

Name – 3
Apn – three.co.uk
proxy – not set
port – not set
Username – not set
Password – not set
Server – not set
MMSC – http://mms.um.three.co.uk:10021/mmsc
MMS proxy – mms.three.co.uk
MMS port – 8799
MCC – 234
MNC – 20
APN type – not set

RIJU KRISHNAN K August 30, 2011 at 1:00 PM

Vey useful one!!!great job

akash September 5, 2011 at 11:54 PM

apn for docomo 3g is “tatadocomo3g” without quotes..

Jitendra September 9, 2011 at 9:00 AM

For MTNL 3G, the APN number is gprsppsmum

NeloAngelo September 19, 2011 at 2:00 AM

The APN address that is for 2G . The Internet is too slow .

Avi September 26, 2011 at 12:29 PM

Igot vodafone in data card for USB net but want to use in
Apple ipad 3G tell me anyone how use pan setting or else

juzer September 29, 2011 at 11:18 PM

Hi,,
I am using Iphone 4 with BSNL 3g service,, after entering APN setting as bsnlnet also I am not able to get the 3g or Edge service,,instead it shows an error “could not activate mobile data network”,, I am not able to figure the exact problem.. plzz help me in this regard,,u can mail me also on juzerfaiyazi@gmail.com

Thanks

himeshgoel October 6, 2011 at 4:08 PM

i have vodafone zte k3570-z dongole its alredy unlock and i want to use reliance 3g sim on that but when i use that sim on that its shows the sim card not recognised plz plz help me out what can i do..

himeshgoel October 6, 2011 at 4:09 PM

reply me on may mail id himeshgoel26@gmail.com

AIJAZ DAR October 11, 2011 at 2:12 PM

Aircel : JK

APN : Aircelweb

Bsnl:JK
APN: bsnlnet

Haneef October 16, 2011 at 10:13 AM

Send me vodafone 2g VPN setting for ipad 2

Adarsh October 17, 2011 at 11:58 AM

Thanks. Pls give me updates

jay October 25, 2011 at 9:10 AM

pls send me to indian all network free use 3g setting in my mail .my handset lg p500 optimus one

SHANKARLAL November 6, 2011 at 9:56 PM

Hi
How to connect the Internet iPhone to computer window XP and linex (ubunto 11.10)
Service Ian using is TATA DOCOMO

Kolli November 9, 2011 at 10:31 AM

Hi,
I am looking for a datacard compatible with Android tablet in India and US.
I have Toshiba ‘THRIVE’ tablet with USB and mini USB port.
Please let me know any solution availble for using existing datacards on existing Android tablets or phones.
Thanks.

Sam November 9, 2011 at 11:10 PM

How to use idea 3G for iphone 3Gs in rajasthan..it is not working with (internet)….and i have already activated 3G by ACT3G to 12345….still only getting E…with low speed…please help…send the mail..plzz..

Ayodhya Prasad Tripathi November 10, 2011 at 1:51 PM

Sir,
I have taken three 3G connection at Rishikesh from Aircel, Airtel and Idea.
None are working as 3G.
All are working in 2G. ISPs say they have activated 3G.
May help me.
Apt

Pramit January 3, 2012 at 8:53 PM

Hi! man, have you checked your mobile’s network mode changed to UMTS/HSDPA. In order to use 3g we need to use this mode. As obvious the handset should be 3g enabled.

Pawan kumar November 15, 2011 at 6:16 PM

Sir
What is the APN and Access number of Vodafone sim use in Hauwei net setter

Irshad khan November 17, 2011 at 11:16 PM

My mobile is samsung s 5620 and maharshtra not varkig by 3g help me

Arjun November 19, 2011 at 5:36 AM

hai friend, i has bought universal 3g huwai data card. can i use reliance sim on that datacard? can i get the speed of reliance broadband netconnect data card equal? how to do this?

Chengalvarayan K November 24, 2011 at 12:17 PM

The post is very useful. Good Job. Thanks

Vinay December 3, 2011 at 12:41 PM

Hi Binoy,
A good article. Can you please let me know how to send vsnl mails from my iPhone (airtel carrier). what is the SMTP server name on airtel for vsnl.??
Regards
Vinay

ajay December 23, 2011 at 5:24 AM

Please send 2g manual settings for vodafone&bsnl in j&k