When you sign up with a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that leases broadcast from established carriers, chances are you might be forced to configure your phone’s APN settings. Even though the process tends to vary from MVNO to MVNO, it is never going to give you headaches. After all, it is a simple process that won’t eat into your precious time.
But before you make the changes, it is essential that you understand what APN settings are. Well, Access Point Names (APN) boasts a wide range of settings. The settings are basically text fields you must fill before connecting to data services. No wonder each device must be configured to use the available settings. Skimp on this and you might have to make do with data connection issues.
The four most important APN settings you should know about include APN, APN type, MMSC and Proxy. When relying on MVNO carriers, you will notice that most Access Point Names are ‘wholesale.’ That’s why you need to enquire about this before choosing a carrier you can count on.
As for the APN type, there are four different types available i.e., Generic, SUPL, MMS and WAP. These also tend to vary from one carrier to the other. If you happen to encounter issues with official setup instructions, you’re better off having ‘generic’ as your default settings.
MMSC APN setting, on the other hand, is required for MMS functionality for most MVNOs. It simply stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. However, this feature is not mandatory for those who aren’t using MMS. As for the Proxy, you may not use it in any of your MVNOs. Either way, it is still needed for some carriers for data access.
The Bottom Line
There are some the different APN settings that you can change easily. The secret lies in understanding the role each setting plays to your device before changing it. Keep in mind the process of configuring your settings slightly varies Android version to Android version, but that is not to say you will struggle to make the changes.