Once again I got inspiration from FN Discussion boards after reading for umpteenth time about Series 40 network configuration issues for MIDlets.

There is a technical note on this (updated this link on Oct 10, 2008), which tackles this issue pretty nicely, but I still would like to write a detailed explanation on how I have done the network access settings on generic Series 40 devices. I have to note that the following explanation works only with the 3rd Edition and newer devices as well as some 2nd Edition devices (see the group 2 on the technical note).

It is notable that even if the browser might be able to connect to the network, your phone might still need some additional configuration to get the network connections for MIDlets to work. If your browser works but MIDlets do not, please skip to step 2.

Also note that I have used Nokia 5300 to write down these instructions. The menu names might be different on your phone, but the general idea should become clear.

1) Get the generic network settings for your operator and save them on your phone. I usually browser to another site while waiting for the settings to arrive and hence forget to write down / memorize the pin code needed to install the settings. Do not do the same mistake :-)
However at this point your browser should be able to connect.

2) Go to Menu->Settings->Configuration and choose "Activ. default in all apps."

3) Next you need to create an access point which you can then use in your MIDlets.
Staying in the the same "Configuration settings" menu, select "Personal config. settings". Press "Add" and select "Access point" from the list. Go to "Access point settings"->"Bearer settings"->"Packet data access point" and write the correct access point name here. For me, using Cingular network, the correct one is "Cingular WEB" (that's the name of the settings I received from the online settings service).
I know that this create access point using a packet data access point seems confusing, but bear with me.

4) If you want, you can also name this access point, but also the default name "My access point" works well. Do this before returning to the Configuration settings menu.

5) In the "Configuration settings" menu, select "Preferred access point" and select the access point you just created (in my case "My access point")

6) Test your MIDlet. If you set up the Data access point correctly, the MIDlet should be connecting to the network just fine.

Another issue related to Series 40 network access is the "KNIEXT _NewGlobalRef failed" error some people have experienced on some Series 40 phones. The cause of this problem is that some previous network connection was not closed properly. This issue can be cured by taking the battery away from the phone for a little while.