iPhone 4s error "could not activate cellular data network"

It's probably a problem with iphone setting for cellular network..

Contact your network operator for these settings..

I had the same problem and my carrier asked me to send a message to a specific number to activate internet services on my iphone..

I have the exact same problem!! I am with Virgin Mobile and as of 2/8 cannot get web! I can text and talk but no internet. Let me tell you, it has NOTHING to do with apple! I have been on the phone with these Virgin Mobile guys EVERY DAY since that day and they could not fix the problem yet. They keep telling me that they have migrated the systems and are now having problems and tech support is aware of the issue!

But the thing is, I cannot even log into my account online. I wrote Custumer Service from their own homepage and the reply I got was that they cannot access my account because it was migrated to a new platform.....

so if anybody out there has a solution how to fix this problem let me know. (other than to change carrier, usually I am very satisfied with them)

Had the same issue for about a month, resolved it yesterday. Posting this (and CCing a few forums) for others' reference.

A Virgin Mobile rep told me they recently switched from the "Siebel network" to the "iCare network". (I'm quoting what I heard verbally.) This change left "6 out of 10" iPhones unable to access the data network. It looks like this is not something you can fix yourself - you have to call tech support, let them escalate a couple times (the drones who answer first don't know how to do this), power down your phone, let them make some changes to your account, then dial a special number (NOT "##UPDATE#") to get the new programming.

Please note that I did NOT have to update iOS, and I did NOT have to reset my phone. Lower-tier operators will probably try to get you to do both these things; you should decline politely and ask if there's anything else you can do.

I made notes as I went through the process:

- Called Virgin Mobile support at 1-888-322-1122.

- Followed the automated menus until I got to "Troubleshoot other problems."

- Was transferred to an operator.

- She proceeded with the "basic troubleshooting steps".

- She asked me to update iOS - I politely declined because I don't trust the new version to run fast on my iPhone 4S.

- She asked me to dial "##UPDATE#" to reprogram the network settings.

- She asked if I got "searching..." in the status bar - I did.

- She asked if I had "Virgin - 3G" in the status bar - I said I had "Virgin", but a Wi-Fi icon. She had me go to Settings and turn Wi-Fi off. I then got a 3G icon.

- She asked if she could forward me to "Tech support". I asked if this was the same as "Tier 3" support - she said it was "Tier 2".

- New operator had me power the phone off and wait a minute.

- He had me power it back on and dial "##873283#". Failed. I told him Wi-Fi was off - he had me start it and try "##873283#" again. Reprogramming completed this time.

- He had me turn Wi-Fi off and launch Safari - "Could not activate cellular data network".

- He said "I need to escalate this to a higher team." I asked if this was Tier 3 - he said it was "a local team with the tools to determine if the network was working".

- The same operator came back on and had me power the phone off (and leave it off) so they could work on it.

- After a few minutes, operator had me power the phone on, turn Wi-Fi ON, and dial "##873283#" again.

- He had me turn Wi-Fi OFF and launch a browser. It worked! Siri also responded immediately.

I thanked the operator profusely, and you should thank yours too. *Virgin Mobile* has screwed up *bad*, but that's not within the control of these operators, and they probably have people screaming at them all day long for Virgin Mobile's mistake.

-Jay

Mike,

This may be a problem of your APN settings. I had the same problem and searched in Youtube and got it resolved.

what I did is...

just connected the iPhone to wifi and open safari. then type "unlockit.co.nz".

An APN setting app will come and will ask you to fill up the country and carrier.

Just do it. It will automatically read the APN and then you may be able to use internet in your phone.

This is not jailbreak. You are just resetting the APN in your iPhone.

Syam

Thanks pjsyamprasad.

It worked like a champion!

I too had problems receiving mobile data on my iPhone 4S in the Cayman Islands. After a ridiculous amount of time trying to get sense from the service provider, (LIME) I found this site and your advice in regard to the APN.

After going to the site mentioned, (unlockit.co.nz) entering my location and provider information, hey presto, I could get mobile data again!!!

Thank you so much for your advice, and to all those out there who are experiencing the same problem, get on to unlockit.co.nz and forget trying to get any sense out of your service provider.

THIS IS THE ANSWER!!!

pjsyamprasad you are a hero!