LG Shine Multimedia Messaging on Unicel

11.17.08

I recently purchased the LG Shine (cu720) from ebay to use on the Unicel Network in upstate NY. After finding very limited information on the phone settings, I set off to figure it out myself. Below is a guide to how I got text messaging, picture/video messaging & the web browser to work.

Once you have successfully unlocked your at&t LG Shine to work with your Unicel SIM card, you will most likely see the dreaded “Service Unavailable” message whenever you try to send multimedia messages and access the mobile web. To fix this, I did the following:
*Note: if your standard text messaging and voicemail already work, you may skip steps 3&5.*

Step 1 – New Network

Navigate to: Settings > Connection > Network Profiles >> New
Connection title: Pictures2Go
Authentication: No Auth
Username: <leave blank>
Password: <leave blank>
APN: apn.unicel.com
Save

Step 2 – Browser Settings

Navigate to: MEdia Net > Browser Settings > Accounts >> Options >> New
Account Name: Unicel
Homepage: http://wap2.info2go.com
Connection Mode: TCP with Proxy
Proxy Address: 66.252.241.18
Proxy Port Number: 8080
Security: Non-secure
Timeout: 150
Network Profiles: Pictures2Go
Save & Activate

Step 3 – Text Messaging

Navigate to: Messaging > Message Settings > Text Message
Message Center Number: +18023950008
Email Gateway: 0000000000

Step 4 – Multimedia Messaging

Navigate to: Messaging > Message Settings > Multimedia Message > Message Center >> Options >> New
Name: PICTURES2GO
MMSC URL: http://mms.info2go.com/servlets/mms
MMSC Proxy: 66.252.241.18
MMSC Port: 8080
Connection Mode: TCP with Proxy
Network Profile: Pictures2Go
Save & Activate

Step 5 – Voicemail

Navigate to: Messaging > Message Settings > Voicemail
Voicemail Number: 16034816245

Step 6 – Turn Off IMS *Very Important!*

Navigate to: Main Screen > Service Menu > IMS Setting
To enter the Service Menu press: 277634#*#
IMS Feature: Deactivate
Exit
Restart Phone

*note: DO NOT press Factory Reset! Pressing Factory Reset will leave your body with a 99% chance of instant spontaneous combustion. If you are lucky enough to be spared, mental retardation will likely ensue.*

There you have it. You should now be able to send multimedia messages and access the web. Step 6 is rather crucial if you want multimedia messaging & web to work – I struggled to figure that one out. I am pretty sure that the Network settings are not location specific, meaning they change depending on where you live, so those settings should work for all Unicel customers. If not, you may call Unicel and request the correct settings.

As for disabling the IMS service, I am not sure as to what it actually disables… but my guess is that Unicel doesn’t use the service, so having it turned on causes problems. For more information on IMS – Read Phone Scoop

If this post has helped you, please leave a comment. If you have suggestions or something is not working for you, please let me know and I will try to help you asap.

Disclaimer: I am not a Unicel technician or in any way affiliated with Unicel. This information is for educational use only; I am in no way responsible for any damages that may occur to your phone.

5 Comments

  1. Matthew
    February 2nd, 2009 @ 9:43 am

    Because you were so clear and specific on the problems that you tackled, I wonder if you could help me on something slightly different. I have a new LG Shine from AT&T and I do not want to watch an AT&T logo graphic on Power on/off. Do you have any way of telling me how to erase that graphic or replace it with something of my choosing? Thanks, Matthew

    Thanks,

    Matthew

  2. Phil
    February 2nd, 2009 @ 12:03 pm

    The only way I think you may be able to change it is with 3rd party software. Bitpim may do what your looking for, but I couldn’t get it to work on my Linux Box or my Macbook Pro. If you are using windows you may have a bit more luck and than I, given that you use the LG drivers – more info here.

    I dont think LG phones support other 3rd party software; i was able to change the ‘power on’ logo with my old motorolla phone, using P2k tools at ModMyMoto.com. You may want to check into p2k tools, i am not sure if it works with the LG Shine though. If you do find something that works, please let me know, I’d be interested in finding out myself.

    Good Luck

  3. Saill
    January 17th, 2010 @ 10:51 am

    This rocks, seriously.

    One interesting tidbit – I followed these instructions exactly on an older Cingular (now ATT) phone that I had inserted a newer ATT sim card into. The URLs still reflected the Cingular branding, and I think that was the problem. I guessed that getting onto the Unicel network as per these instructions would be a longshot, but I was curious.

    Imagine my surprise when it worked perfectly! I am now sending multimedia messages over an entirely different network. Just plain cool.

    Thanks Phil!

  4. Phil
    January 17th, 2010 @ 12:15 pm

    haha, that is so awesome Saill. I can’t believe it still works. The Unicel towers in my area were all bought-out by AT&T, so I figured it probably wouldn’t work. Well done Saill, well done.

  5. Saill
    January 17th, 2010 @ 1:06 pm

    Yeah, I’m pretty dang pleased with the whole thing. Was not looking forward to hours on the phone with tech support.

    The Shine is a great phone, and this means that anyone can grab one off e-bay and make it fully functional!

    Thanks again – great service to the planet.

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