I have followed your comments and have had similar experiences myself. Take
2 devices one is the XDA II from O2 and the other SPV M1000 from Orange.
Both are identical devices underneath and both run Pocket PC 2003 with
Compact framework 1.0 SP2.
I have written an application that use Web Services to communication with a
backend database and applications. When we tried the application on both
devices it works no problems. However as soon as we take the device out of
the cradle and off the LAN the GPRS connection would fire up, the logon web
service would be ok (but then it is a very simple service) but no other web
service call would work subsequently.
This has been driving me mad for 3 weeks and it wasn't until I phoned up
Orange networks services to ask if any filtering or optimisations were
performed on the APN. Luckily I spoke to someone that knew what they were
talking about and with 5 minutes had given me a different APN name
("internetvpn" instead of "orangeinternet)" and a couple of SIM Updates and
hey presto my web services application works beautifully, this also fixed a
Mappoint Application on PPC as well that could only get to work in a cradle
/ emulator.
The O2 XDA is still not working with and I'm having problems finding out
what needs to be done to get it working as they claim only one APN existing
on their network for internet access (mobile.o2.co.uk).
I have seen other people saying that T-Mobile has no issues like this, i
have no info on VodaPhone. So here is what I think is happening, but please
tell me if I've got it wrong.
1. Some mobile operators have optimisers / etc on the APN's - Some don't
2. Some mobile operators use different APN's for Full Internet Access than
just for core services (i.e. Orange) and - Some don't
3. Web Services on mobile devices are relatively new and most mobile
operators have not tested these against their APN's
Right now I feel that this is very much hit and miss the mobile operators to
embrace web services protpcols and test
their equipment.
Regards
Toby