..:| applei.ph |:..

I checked the fora and found a couple of folks who are having problems (or had problems) with Globe's billing system - specifically charging them for data connection even when they have an invalid APN.

Anyway, you can check out Noemi Dado's post at techiegadgets.com/globe-billing-problems-in-my-iphone-3g/ and send her your experiences. We are tracking down all those who had problem and those who are still having problems.

Globe might be in for a big surprise this 2010.

I'm one of those who has experienced problems with Globe's internet charges. I conducted a simple experiment earlier this month & verified that Globe does have a problem properly tracking internet usage.

On December 17, I edited my APN to prevent access to Globe's servers. I retrieved my unbilled charges and they amounted to P1337.92. Less than 24 hours later, I retrieved my unbilled charges again. I was shocked when I saw that they were now P1,785.81 due to internet usage. Since I was sure that I did not use the internet on the iPhone, I called Globe to report this. They advised me to wait until my bill arrived to complain. When I asked the CSR if Globe can give me a daily breakdown of my internet charges, she said that they cannot.

So, in effect, how can we be sure that Globe is billing us fairly for internet usage? To add to this, I know 4 people (me included) who don't have signal in the Makati CBD area. We have different handsets, and we've already changed our SIM cards several times. The only thing we have in common is that our phone numbers begin with "5" or "8". Globe can't explain why this is happening. If Globe can't explain something as simple as this, they how can you expect them to track internet usage properly.

I really wish Smart and/or Sun will be allowed to sell the iPhone next year. At least with Smart, you can track your usage since they give a "per-use" breakdown in your bill..

similar problem.
I had my apn changed to an invalid one the day I got my iphone 3gs, 3 months ago.
I was never billed any internet charges.
problem start when 3 week ago, I tried Tethering and used a valid apn. I use it for less than 5 mins before reverting back to the invalid pin.
I was billed ard 1,500 pesos for 5 mins of use ( time base). Globe cant satisfactorily explain the charges to me . to think that 1,200 pesos a month will give me supersurf w/c is unlimited for 30 days.

there is really a problem on globe internet charges ever since.

Folks,

Please fill-up the survey bit.ly/GlobeSurvey - we are collating all cases of Globe overcharging its subscribers. From there, we can estimate how much they have earned from services not delivered/used.

donpepot wrote:
Folks,

Please fill-up the survey bit.ly/GlobeSurvey - we are collating all cases of Globe overcharging its subscribers. From there, we can estimate how much they have earned from services not delivered/used.

Thanks for the link, I hope this helps. I've been contesting my bill for couple of months now. I told the CS that I won't pay for something that I did not use.

you guys might wanna check this post out.. could be the reason for those charges you didn't use
www.applei.ph/one/component/option,com_k...w/catid,35/id,65586/

strebor wrote:
you guys might wanna check this post out.. could be the reason for those charges you didn't use
www.applei.ph/one/component/option,com_k...w/catid,35/id,65586/

Thanks for the link, but nope, even with invalid APN, Globe still charged me for ~PhP400 of internet usage for 1 day. Plus, even others have experienced irregularity with Globe's internet usage billing..

filjedi wrote:
strebor wrote:
you guys might wanna check this post out.. could be the reason for those charges you didn't use
www.applei.ph/one/component/option,com_k...w/catid,35/id,65586/

Thanks for the link, but nope, even with invalid APN, Globe still charged me for ~PhP400 of internet usage for 1 day. Plus, even others have experienced irregularity with Globe's internet usage billing..

Again, as explained on that other thread Strebor references, merely changing the APN is only half of the problem. For best results, you will need to turn off EDGE as well in order to totally eliminate unwanted data charges. If you are using a "virgin" phone, you do not have the luxury of turning off EDGE, so you should from time to time check on your APN setting as that sometimes reverts to the correct configuration without you knowing it

PS: I am a Globe user myself, and my number begins with a "5" as well

Well, you're lucky that Globe has been charging you fairly for usage + have signal in Makati

Yup, I'm on a "virgin" phone & I do check my APN a couple of times a day just to make sure that I'm using the Wifi connection at home & not Globe's data services. Unfortunately, since I don't have SBSettings installed, I can't verify that I'm not given an IP address. However, I definitely get the "Could not activate cellular data network" alert when my APN is invalid in Safari, Mail, &, at times, even Messages.

Still, based on the breakdown given by Noemi Dado (among others, including my 1 day "experiment" where I was home the whole day & used an invalid APN), I'm fairly convinced that Globe's internet usage tracking system may have a bug for certain users. I guess that's why they can't provide a detailed breakdown of our usage..

I called Globe and reported my concerns again. As before, they stated that they cannot give me a detailed breakdown of my internet usage. Therefore, I made it official that I will only pay for my monthly average until they can provide a breakdown of my charges.

However, what really got my attention is that, the official stand of Globe is that, if "Location Services" is "ON", even with an invalid APN, the iPhone's GPS will connect to the internet. Is this true or BS? Just wanted to verify since I've always thought that the "Location Services" only controls the A-GPS, which does not need an internet connection to work..