w00kie's ramblings

Activate tethering on Softbank iPhone

—

by

w00kie
in ,

A friend of mine, @kuriburi, just sent me this to publish for him, so here you go:

So it was the news of the day: Someone managed to activate tethering on an AT&T iPhone 3G by means of a “carrier support file”, a.k.a. “ipcc”. Here in Japan, the story was a bit more tricky : Softbank declared that they would not support tethering on their network and had no plans to do so in the future either.

softbank-tethered

Nice! So, with those brand new Macbook Pro without any pc express card slot, how are we supposed to use Softbank’s data cards? This bothered me to no end thus I went on a search for a Softbank carrier support file that I could modify somehow. I stumbled onto this very interesting post on a Japanese blog that talked about the same thing, but with a beta version of the iPhone OS 3.0.

OK, well, doesn’t hurt to try with the official release, right?

Now I need to get my hands on that damn file. Turns out, it was right on my hard drive at work since August 2008. So I went to work and modified the file (which incidentally is just a bundle in a zip archive with a special extension) and tried to update my iPhone with it. The steps are simple :

  1. in the Terminal, execute defaults write com.apple.iTunes carrier-testing -bool TRUE
    on windows, execute C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe /setPrefInt carrier-testing 1 in a DOS window
  2. plug your iPhone to your computer via the USB cable
  3. in iTunes, display the summary page of your iPhone
  4. while pressing the “alt” (option) key, click on the “check for update” button
  5. you will be presented with a finder window. Locate the Softbank_jp.ipcc file, select it
  6. iTunes will now update your iPhone with the modified carrier settings
  7. Once finished, unplug the iPhone, go see into Settings>General>Network, and voilà! screenshot

Oh, before I forget, if Apple or Softbank issues an update through iTunes, wait a bit before updating… you never know…

Update: I updated the link with the latest file from @kuriburi that activates both tethering and MMS. よろしく！

Update: This IPCC file does not work with 3.1 update. If you value your tethering, do not upgrade yet.

Comments

377 responses to “Activate tethering on Softbank iPhone”

  1. kurisu Avatar
    kurisu

    If you’re on the white or gold plans, MMS are free if your correspondent is a Softbank or Disney Mobile user. If you send to a user on another network, then you’ll be charged 0.21 yen per packet.

    If you’re on the orange plans, you’ll pay 0.105 yen per packet no matter who your correspondent is.

    If you’re on the blue plans, you’ll pay 0.21 yen per packet no matter who your correspondent is.

    Hope the above clarifies the issue.

  2. kurisu Avatar
    kurisu

    And yeah, the page I linked to describes the charges specific to the iPhone, that’s why there is “iPhone” in the URL.

  3. Duc Avatar
    Duc

    Sweet! I am on a white plan. Don’t have anyone to send it to though.
    What network is Disney Mobile? Disney Mobile?

  4. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    Can anyone confirm that they have got a massive bill form お父さん? If so or not, how were you using it?

  5. w00kie Avatar
    w00kie

    Well normally you can see your charge live on that “my softbank” page.
    If it is the huge extra packets bill is not there yet then purportedly they don’t count it after all.

  6. Russell Avatar
    Russell

    So I set up forwarding from gmail to the @softbank.ne.jp address as a kind of push-proxy since it has a preview feature (unlike the standard mail notification from i.softbank.jp, which I guess is just a stripped SMS). Then I realized that Softbank doesn’t just charge to send to non-Softbank phones, it also charges to receive from any non-Softbank address. So that means I would have to pay for each notification and any spam.

    Am I missing something here? That’s what it seems to say on Kurisu’s link above. Is the receiving charge definitely outside パケ放題?

  7. Russell Avatar
    Russell

    The reason I ask in particular is because of the ridiculous way they set up their billing system. As I’m sure you’ve seen, you actually get charged for all your packets to the tune of 100,000 yen a month and then they apply the discount afterwards. I didn’t see a separate MMS category, so I’m wondering if they just credit you back for this use as well.

  8. surprised Avatar
    surprised

    I got my phone on Friday, followed these instructions on Saturday. More out of curiosity that anything. Tested the tethering with a quick skype call to my father and opening a couple of pages.

    That was about it. I definitely had the iphone plugged into the computer while using it a bit – but I am positive tethering was shown as off, and that the macbook was on its normal wireless network.

    Anyway, I got this message from softbank today:
    ＜ソフトバンクより＞
    ◆パケット通信料に関するお知らせ
    ご利用分の概算パケット通信料（各種割引適用後）が、50,000円を超えましたのでお知らせします。
    ※基本料・オプション使用料は含んでおりません
    ※パケット割引サービスの申込状況により、実際のご請求金額が50,000円を超えていなくても、本通知が到着することがあります（詳細は注意事項をご確認下さい）
    ◆本通知に関する注意事項
    URL: http://broadband.mb.softbank.jp/f/high2/
    ※SoftBank 6-2シリーズは通信料必要
    ●お問合せ：弊社お客さまセンター157《受付9:00-20:00》
    ●このメールへは返信できません

    Which is a bit unexpected.

    Anyway, I have reset all settings on the iphone. The tethering option seems to have disappeared (when I am on the computer I am at work at home anyway).

    One quick q. the IPCC file, I assume if it is a settings file, that it has now been reset to what the factory standard setting should be? Would that be correct – or is it a separate level of settings that got reset on the iphone?

    Any help appreciated.

    cheers,
    surprised

  9. surprised Avatar
    surprised

    I should have probably been a little more explicit, the Saturday, was yesterday.

    Thanks,
    stu

  10. Russell Avatar
    Russell

    The white plan page makes it look like receiving would be charged as a normal web access especially since they add this footnote:
    *2 Communication fees apply when sending/receiving e mail from iPhone 3G E-mail (i) address ([email protected])

    http://mb.softbank.jp/en/price_plans/whiteplan.html

    Anyway, I’d prefer the MMS preview if it is covered under the パケ放題.

  11. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    I think I might give this ago. How long have you guys been using this?

    I know that it is a recent 3.0 feature but maybe on the BETA. I just don’t want お父さん knocking on my door.

  12. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    @ Suprised

    My bill reaches way over 200,000 yen before discounts. To me that mail is just saying that your bill before discounts is over 50,000 yen. I have never received that mail though. Give softbank a call and see what they say.

  13. surprised Avatar
    surprised

    The message is not super-clear – but the key part is this
    （各種割引適用後）= this is after applying all discounts

    I will let you know how it turns out

  14. tony a Avatar
    tony a

    w00kie,

    i uploaded the file today, and now i do not get any reception for 3G or anything. i can receive emails if i am connected to wifi. i restored the phone and it got reception again when it was on factory settings. when i restored the backup it lost signal again….any ideas?!

  15. tony a Avatar
    tony a

    uuhhhhh nevermind, 3G was turned off. hahaha….give me a break im still hungover

  16. Den Avatar
    Den

    Folks, how do you pass step 1? I tried this to my friends 3GS and its not working. Itunes.exe is there but nothing happens when running the command. Tried both windows 7 and XP. Please help.

  17. Duc Avatar
    Duc

    @den
    Have you tried installing the .ipcc file via itunes?
    plug phone in and run itunes.
    Hold shift+update.
    Change the file type to .ipcc and navigate to the file saved on puter.
    click save.

  18. Den Avatar
    Den

    The only file type available so far is .ipsw, theres no .ipcc on the pull down menu.

  19. Duc Avatar
    Duc

    You are on itunes 8.2?
    This method worked for me since I couldn’t follow the orginal poster instructions using the cmd prompt.

  20. Den Avatar
    Den

    @Duc, yup im on 8.2. Tried several times. Finally, it worked! Thanks.

  21. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    This IPCC file desabity the MMS ,you dont have other ????

  22. AJ Avatar
    AJ

    Is it true that softbank can’t monitor tethering if we use a VPN service?

    I bought VPN service to watch Hulu and NetFlix on my Mac at home… the service came with a secondary vpn that was configurable with the iphone. I’ve only used it for Pandora thus far, but if I can use it while tethering and keep under the radar, it’d be much more useful! I’m a bit scared to try tethering based on the comment from ‘suprised’.

  23. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    @Suprised, Is this your first iPhone?

  24. Duc Avatar
    Duc

    @suprised
    or anyone who can read japanese from what suprised posted above. Can someone briefly translate what did means?

  25. surprised Avatar
    surprised

    Mike,

    Yep, my first iphone, I had done 26 months on the last contract with softbank though. Although I didn’t do a data plan with my last contract.

    I will follow my friend’s gf’s advice, and go to see the shop when the invoice comes in – end of the month. Until then I am not going to worry about it too much.

    Please take it as a warning though. Best to sit this stuff out and wait and see what happens.

    cheers,
    Surprised

    Duc,
    I read/speak Japanese. Here is a quick translation:

    ＜from softbank＞
    ◆Information about your packet transmission charges
    This is to let you know that the estimate for your packet charges (after all discounts are taken into account), has exceeded 50,000yen.

    ※This is not inclusive to the basic charge/option usage fee
    ※Depending on the applied for packet discount service, the reality is that this notice may be sent out even when the you have not gone over the 50,000yen billed service has gone over 50,000yen (for details please read the detailed important points [at the below link])
    ◆To read more information regarding this notice please go to
    URL: http://broadband.mb.softbank.jp/f/high2/
    ※For the Softbank 6-2 series the data transfer fee in required
    ●For information, call our company customer center at 157《Hours 9:00-20:00》
    ●You cannot reply to this message

  26. surprised Avatar
    surprised

    By the way, I mentioned above, that the message I got from softbank is a bit convoluted, I probably should read the detailed notice, but I figure I may as well do that when I know if I need to worry about it … i.e. when the bill comes in
    later,
    surprised

  27. surprised Avatar
    surprised

    Duc,

    Sorry I didn’t proof what I wrote: Here it is proofread – with a little more time thinking about what I was reading.

    ＜from softbank＞
    ◆Information about your packet transmission charges
    This is to let you know that the estimate for your packet charges (after all discounts are taken into account), has exceeded 50,000yen.

    ※The basic charge and option charges are not included in this number
    ※Depending on the applied for packet discount service, the reality is that this notice may be sent out even when the you have not gone over the 50,000yen (for details please read the detailed important points [at the below link])
    ◆To read more information regarding this notice please go to
    URL: http://broadband.mb.softbank.jp/f/high2/
    ※For the Softbank 6-2 series the data transfer fee in required
    ●For information, call our company customer center at 157《Hours 9:00-20:00》
    ●You cannot reply to this message

  28. Elias Avatar
    Elias

    @Duc

    Here you go. If it doesn’t sound 100% natural please take it out of my pay : )

    I have to agree that the wording is a little vague, but I would definitely give Softbank a call and feign some major gaijin ignorance on this one if I was him.

    ◆This is a notice of packet communication fees
    A rough estimate of your packet communication fees (including all applicable discounts) has exceeded 50,000 yen.
    ※This sum does not include your basic or option fees
    ※This notice may be sent even if you have applied for packet discount service and the actual bill does not exceed 50,000 yen (Please confirm any relevent details)
    ◆Relevant details can be found at:
    URL: http://broadband.mb.softbank.jp/f/high2/
    ※Communication fees will be charged for Softbank 6-2 Series
    ●IF you have any questions please call our customer service center：9:00-20:00
    ●You cannot reply to this e-mail

  29. Elias Avatar
    Elias

    Ahhh man…. I was a little slow. Next time I try to help some fellow skimmers I should try not to forget how lazy I am.

  30. Duc Avatar
    Duc

    Thanks guys for the replies. I didn’t recieve any notice like such. Maybe because I never setup the softbank email address they issued me. I like my gmail. :P
    But like surprised, I only tethered for about 5 mins of skimming through pages.

    I am new to the Japan mobile network and find it very different compared to the US. Nothing is free as it looks like.

  31. Elias Avatar
    Elias

    I did about the same amount of tethering as you two and haven’t received a notice yet. In any case, I think it would be prudent to wait until the next round of bills are sent out until one tries tethering again.

  32. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    @suprised

    OK, I think the issue, if you upgrade to an iPhone you don’t have the unlimited data package right away. You have to wait until the 11th for it to kick in. If you are a new customer or upgrading from an iPhone then you get it right away.

  33. surprised Avatar
    surprised

    Mike,

    I am well impressed with your analysis there. I think you might be right.

    This is good news, that was definitely not brought to my attention in the shop – I am sure the staff hadn’t thought of it themselves.

    It does make a lot of sense though. I would hazard a guess that they will just reverse the charge. I will let you know how it turns out

    Thanks Sherlock.

    Cheers,
    Surprised
    p.s. I used to use the HTC phone, mainly as a phone and offline ebook reader and dictionary, so I was probably in the minority not to do the packet tsukaihoudai on that particular model.

  34. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    My first month of iPhone was hard. I didn’t have the unlimited packets thing and it was always so tempting to just surf.

  35. SoloNerfherder Avatar
    SoloNerfherder

    Hi, I was wondering which is better, tethering with PDANet or using the ipcc file “hack”. Reading the comments, though, it seems we’re going to have to wait to see a bit more how everyone’s experiences with hacked tethering go.
    I’m mainly interested to see what the advantages of the exploit used here are over PDANet. I’ve been using PDANet for a couple of months, and it does what it says on the tin. But you have to go through the rigamarole of setting it up every time. It costs about $15. Also, there’s a bug (something supposedly to do with Apple rather than PDANet) where tethering with PDANet while plugged in via USB sometimes won’t charge your iPhone, which sucks. Does the ipcc hack have the same problem?
    What are the risks of using the ipcc hack? I’m not much of an expert with this sort of thing, but I figure if I can jailbreak an iPhone with the right tutorial, I could probably do this with a decent guide…

  36. Duc Avatar
    Duc

    @solonerfherder
    It is very easy to do. Takes less than 2 mins if all goes well. To revert you will probably need to restore the phone unless you backup the orginal ipcc file.

    I was wondering that myself. How will the provider know if 3.0 tethering was used or pdanet? As far as I know, the phone is charging willing being plug in. No setting up everytime.

  37. Duc Avatar
    Duc

    Anyone knows if I qualify for the promo price of the 3GS with the following conditions?

    “I would like to get the 3GS but I am only 5 months in of a 2yrs contract. However, I have paid in full for the 3G phone upfront when I signed up.”

  38. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    HELP ME,my MMS dont WORK.

    I live in Nagoya,my Tethering working good,but my MMS no.
    What i do to correct this trouble ???????

    I take my IPCC from tutorial :

    5.you will be presented with a finder window. Locate the Softbank_jp.ipcc file, select it

  39. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    HELP 2

    I have WINDOWS,if anybody can UPLOAD the IPCC with MMS on ,i apreciated.

  40. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    Help 3

    i sorry for my English,i speak Portuguese !!!

    BRASIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  41. Duc Avatar
    Duc

    @ricardo
    Try resetting your network. Goto settings, general, reset, reset network settings.

  42. surprised Avatar
    surprised

    A quick update.

    First thanks to everyone for your input, and Mike, your stroke of brilliance.

    I went into the softbank shop a couple of nights back to confirm what Mike said. Yep, there is a gap between the notification systems showing that I am on a tsukaihoudai plan, and the registration system.

    As the friendly guy at softbank said, they can’t sell the phone without the data plan, therefore I will be fine.

    To put it another way, my assumptions on the warning notices about high usage being related to a quick test I did tethering were wrong. It was a different issue altogether.

    Just nice to know, for peace of mind.

    Final confirmation will come when I get the bill of course.

    Cheers,
    Surprised – at one point

  43. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    Duc
    @ricardo
    Try resetting your network. Goto settings, general, reset, reset network settings

    No changes .!!!!!!!!!!

  44. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    i CAn change config about IPCC from PC-WINDOWS ?????

    [b]Eric Choi
    I’ve found a way too,
    Basic concept was put AT&T MMS enabler and tethering enabler all at one.

    On .ipcc file there’s carrier file
    in carrier file I added
    AllowMMSCEditing

    AllowMMSEditing

    AllowMMS

    and

    mms_proxy
    mmsopen.softbank.ne.jp
    mms_proxy_port
    8080
    mmsc
    http://mms/

    works totally fine now.[/b]

  45. kurisu Avatar
    kurisu

    @ricardo
    Do a clean restore of your phone, and then try to apply the ipcc file again with the above method. That ipcc file works (confirmed multiple times) for both tethering and MMS.

  46. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    kurisu

    That ipcc file works (confirmed multiple times) for both tethering and MMS.

    My MMS work but not the Picture Funcion.

    Ok,i go try again !

  47. Maddy Avatar
    Maddy

    It all works Fantastically!

    The only issues I had was that it wouldnt recognise the ipcc file at first. The pull down menu didnt seem to have the option on the first try.. so try and try again

  48. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    Maddy

    You can send PICTURES by SMS ?????

    My Tethering is OK,but my SMS dont send PICTURES any more :(

  49. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    After i installed the .ipcc ,the icon in the left side in SMS disappeared !!!!

  50. RicardoGrafites Avatar
    RicardoGrafites

    the photografhic machine icon

Older Comments Newer Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *