I have started a new PHP-driven service that auto-creates complete custom carrier bundles in .ipcc format for use with iTunes. Works for iPhone 2G/3G, jailed and jailbroken, Mac & Windows, iTunes 8.1.1 & iTunes 8.2. No more need for any use of Terminal/PuTTY or editing custom firmware bundles - works "the Apple-way".

The solution is intended for users on non-Apple partner carriers. The ipcc file contains the custom carrier bundle and the symlink(s). The custom carrier bundles are made for firmware 2.2.1!

Apply the ipcc file to your iPhone
The script creates everything on the server, after all is complete, it's downloaded to your Windows-PC or Mac. Connect iPhone and PC/Mac, start up iTunes. Wait until iTunes "sees" the iPhone. Click on the iPhone in "Devices" (left program bar).

On Windows shift-click "Update", on Mac option-click "Update" (NOT "Restore"). iTunes will pop up a dialog, select the downloaded .ipcc file and click "OK". iTunes will "update your carrier settings".
Disconnect iPhone and PC, shut down the iPhone (red slider) and restart it - thats all!

[EDIT 2009-06-02 / 2009-06-12 / 2009-06-16
Default iTunes 8.2 breaks the injection of ipcc files
You can re-enable this nice feature on a Mac: Open Terminal and type:

Code:

defaults write com.apple.iTunes carrier-testing -bool TRUE

Thx to member ac! for making this public.

On Windows (confirmed to work on XP and Vista) open command prompt and paste the following command:

Code:

"%ProgramFiles%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt carrier-testing 1

Thx to member blackboxx for making this public.

Hope this is going to stay in further iTunes updates.
[END EDIT]

Some important information when using the service
You need to have the MCC/MNC of your carrier handy aswell as the textstring that is issued by your simcard/provider when not using a custom bundle.

You have to find out the MCC/MNC code of your simcard
At firmware 2.2.1 the MCC/MNC can be found (after dialing *3001#12345#* on the keypad of the phone app) under "MM Info" -> "Serving PLMN" (they are labeled "Mobile Country Code" and "Mobile Network Code". If "Mobile Network Code" has only one digit add a zero in front.
Take a note.

Custom carrier logo
For using the custom carrier logo you need one mandatory field in the form to be filled out properly (* First character/digit of carrier logo name). The file carrier.plist has a "key" called "AllowPrefixMatching" that has to be set to "true". The following string is compared to the string your simcard/carrier issues when normally using (before having the custom carrier logo). Main carriers like Vodafone issue "Vodafone UK" or so. The value for "AllowPrefixMatching" has to match the string and NO SPACE ALLOWED.
Use the easy way and just type the first character (or if so digit) that is displayed, it works.
Write the displayed name down (only the first character/digit).
Just an addon: I have just been in Greece for a while, used Vodafone there. The display shows "gr vf" so the digit/character to fill in would be g

Short explanation: Why custom carrier bundle
Apple wanted the iPhone to be tied to a few partner carriers. For each of those carriers/simcards/conrtacts Apple developed Carrier Bundles containing special data like apn for UMTS(3G), EDGE, carrier IDs (MCC/MNC), access to services etc. One bundle called "unknown" is made to handle roaming situations.
Cause our hacked iPhones dont match the Apple-made carrier bundles the unknown one gets used. It's not a good idea to fiddle with this one, it's there for roaming situations. Some users edited it to avoid displaying messages like "call forwarded" and so on, some edited the APN for data access. The custom carrier bundle you can create does the trick the Apple-way.


The service can be found here


Use of the service is free of cause. Thanks and credit to the Dev Team for making all that possible.
The service somehow replaces the version here where some more user interaction was needed.

Once firmware 3.0 is public I will try offer the service for the new system asap, might take a few says for testing - including options like tethering, mms etc.

Great
Thanks volks

Oooh - this also works for 2.20 (at least it does if you have FWChanger - I haven't tried without).

Thanks Volks - I am a simple person and like things made easy for me

Originally Posted by Confucious

Oooh - this also works for 2.20 (at least it does if you have FWChanger - I haven't tried without).

It should work from 2.1-2.2.1. Apple again changed the format in 2.1, before maybe situation is different.

I thought so, which is why I tried it, but as the title specifically says 2.2.1 I wasn't certain.

Thanks again

Originally Posted by Confucious

I thought so, which is why I tried it, but as the title specifically says 2.2.1 I wasn't certain.

Thanks again

Hey, glad it worked for you!
I do those since firmware 1.1.3 and Apple always changes tiny bits. So I want to make sure at least to support the latest firmware.
Funny thing: The recent beta 2 of iTunes (for iPhone firmware 3 beta5) rejects the ipcc files. But i am sure this will change again, cause Apple uses the mechanism to inject new carrier bundles and needs it ;-)

happy hacking

I'm new to iPhones so have a lot to learn....

Once Beta 5 is activated you can downgrade to the first beta of iTunes 8.2 to load ipcc files or make sure you install them before upgrading.
It does seem strange that they've disabled this feature but I'm sticking with 2.20 until the Dev Team tell me it's safe to go to 3.0

iTunes 8.2 breaks the option to inject ipcc files. Please read post #1 how to re-enable it.

Besides that please read
http://www.hackint0sh.org/forum/f168/74258.htm

Originally Posted by volkspost

iTunes 8.2 breaks the option to inject ipcc files. Please read post #1 how to re-enable it.

Here's how to enable carrier bundle support on Windows:
open command prompt and paste the following command:

Code:

"%ProgramFiles%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt carrier-testing 1

Originally Posted by blackboxxx

Here's how to enable carrier bundle support on Windows:
open command prompt and paste the following command:

Code:

"%ProgramFiles%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt carrier-testing 1

It works fine on my XP machine

Thanks bud