To access internet with mobile phones you need to activate it by loading the mobile network’s GPRS or 3G internet settings to your mobile phone. This is done by sending an SMS command to the mobile network. On reception of your SMS, the network will send you your GPRS settings. You will then have to save the GPRS/internet settings to your mobile phone. Some mobile phones (usually newly launched mobile phones) may not accept automatic internet settings, in such a situation you will have to load your GPRS internet settings manually.

In Nigeria, you do not worry about activating your mobile phone for internet access if you are using CDMA. This is because CDMA networks usually carry exclusive mobile phones, which are often preloaded with internet settings. When buying a mobile phone from network exclusive outlets, ask whether the mobile phone has been activated with the required internet settings and if not request for internet configuration on the spot.

Most often, you worry about internet configuration when you are using GSM or WCDMA/HSDPA. Here are internet, 3G or GPRS settings of MTN, Glo mobile, Etisalat, and Zain:

Activating MTN mobile internet

To get your 3G/3.5G/GPRS internet settings, text SETTINGS to 3888 on an MTN Nigeria mobile phone. Save the internet settings when received.

You can also use manual internet configuration settings. Use manual GPRS settings only if automatic GPRS settings request fails.

MTN manual 3G/3.5G/GPRS settings for WAP mobile internet

Account name: MTN GPRS
IP Address: 10.199.212.2
Port: 9201
Username: web
Password: web
Access point name (APN): web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net


MTN manual 3G/3.5G/GPRS settings for full internet

Account name: MTN GPRS
IP Address: 10.199.212.2
Port: 8080
Username: web
Password: web
Access point name (APN): web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net

Activating Glo mobile internet

To get your Glo 3G internet settings SMS activate to 444 using a 3G mobile phone. Save the 3G internet settings in your mobile phone when received. To get Glo WAP settings, SMS your phone name and model to 927. For example, to activate Nokia 5130, SMS Nokia 5130 to 927. Save the 3G internet settings in your mobile phone.

If automatic 3G settings request fails, use manual 3G settings

Glo manual 3.5G/3G internet settings

Service name: Glo 3G
IP Address: 10.100.98.22
Port: 3130
Username: wap
Password: wap
Access point name (APN): glo3gvideo
Authentication: Normal
Home page: http://cms.gloworld.com

Activating Zain mobile internet

To get your Zain GPRS settings SMS Internet [space] [phone make] [space] [model number] to 232. For example, to activate Nokia 5130, SMS Internet Nokia 5130 to 232. Save the GPRS settings on your mobile phone when received.

If automatic GPRS settings request fails, use manual GPRS settings

Zain manual GPRS settings for WAP

Port: 8080
Username:
Password:
Access point name (APN): internet.ng.zain.com
Authentication: Normal
Home page: http://wap.ng.zain.com

Activating Etisalat mobile internet

Etisalat manual 3G, EDGE, GPRS settings

Account name: Etisalat Internet
IP Address: 10.100.98.22
Username:
Password:
Access point name (APN): etisalat
Home page: http://mobile.etisalat.com.ng

Etisalat manual WAP internet settings

Account name: Etisalat WAP
IP Address: 10.71.170.5
Port: 8080
Username:
Password:
Access point name (APN): etisalat
Home page: http://mobile.etisalat.com.ng