Linux Format forums

tazoftazmania · Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:47 pm Posts: 3

Hi,
Does anyone have any experience of using any of the new mobile broadband dongles that are offered by the likes of Vodaphone and 3?
I've tried contacting the various suppliers but get passed from pillar to post and can get no definitive answer. It looks like even if they do work they won't support you using Linux (quel surprise).

I'm not particularly keen on forking out for an 18 month contract to find it's not compatible.

I've got an Asus EeePC900 running the Xandros distro it came with.
P.S. I'm brand new to Linux and enjoying the experience so far...

towy71 · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject: RE: Mobile Broadband (UK)

I have seen these dongles working with both the Eeepc and other laptops running different versions of Linux,
I found this look at third post down
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tazoftazmania · Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:47 pm Posts: 3

Thanks for the link towy Smile

tazoftazmania · Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:47 pm Posts: 3

For information:

I tried using the Pay-As-You- Go option from 3 (£49 for the modem + £10 top up which lasts a month before it expires) and successfully managed to connect without any issues. There is no automatic install of software like you get if you have XP but using the Network Connection option on the desktop it was simple enough to set up.
The problem was 3's interface. With PAYG you have to register a top up when you first connect, except that the re-direct doesn't take you to the right page, instead you have to go to my3.three.co.uk to top up. Th top up is not linked to your accunt login so you have to type in the phone number of the modem like you would for a mobile phone. Double and triple check the phone number as I stupidly ended up transposing two numbers and giving someone else 10 quids worth of surfing time.
I didn't get on with the account and registering a credit card for later top ups so I cancelled (you have three days to cancel and you don't get back the airtime you bought) .
Going to try Orange's pay monthly offer next as they seem to have more coverage...

towy71 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject: RE: Mobile Broadband (UK)

Great stuff for you to post your results Very Happy

, better luck with Orange Wink

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nherriot · Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:24 pm Posts: 4

danMdan · Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:51 pm Posts: 5

You need access to a Windows XP PC when starting to use the E220 modem with an Asus Eee. This is because Asus sends a code by text message which the Eee is unable to receive. The software loaded on to an XP machine gives access to this vital code, needed, I assume, to activate the dongle. Otherwise my Eee 701 and 900 models, and an XP PC, and a Mac OSX machine all work OK with the E220.

nherriot · Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:24 pm Posts: 4

danMdan · Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:51 pm Posts: 5

Sorry, I should have made it clear that my note applied to a new, unused, E220 bought from "3" only - although other suppliers might have something similar I don't know about Vodaphone.

nherriot · Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:24 pm Posts: 4

Should find the experience with a Vodafone SIM and dongle far less painful with Linux !!! Wink

Stationmaster · Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:24 pm Posts: 20

Hmmm some suppliers are not exactly forthcoming about what there equipment will and won't work with. I asked Orange if there Mobile BB dongle would work with a Linux powered machine to get back a fairly standard 'we don't support Linux' reply

So I guess we are on our own with most of these latest toys although most items with a USB should appear on any modern OS as what they are; be it a modem or a DVD burner so why do supplier make such a mystery of it all.

Whether the implication is that the drivers are not supported in anything other than Windows is another issue but one which no doubt those more computer literate than I will be able to comment on but from what little I have gleaned you should be pretty safe with equipment fitted with a USB plug working on whatever it is plugged into.

nelz · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

I received an email from someone at Vodafone recently, in response to something I wrote about mobile broadband. So it appears that at least one company not only knows about Linux but Linux Format too Smile

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Veryzone · Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:38 am Posts: 1

(USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)

towy71 · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

spam spam spam
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Rhakios · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:44 am Post subject: