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Ubuntu 9.10 supports mobile broadband devices and has settings in NetworkManager for it - it's very simple nowadays. The drivers are also built into the kernel, just make sure you're using the latest version of Ubuntu - I think they've existed since 9.04. As far as I recall, the devices are the same chipset sold by every major company. And that's built into the core functionality - so click the network icon and you should be able to configure it easily from there. On 11 February 2010 23:03, Rob Beard <rob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > On 10/02/2010 16:09, Paul Sutton wrote: >> >> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- >> Hash: SHA1 >> >> Hi >> >> I was looking at getting one of those mobile broadband things that plug >> in to the usb port, >> >> aparently I need extra drivers and stuff to get it working under Linux, >> Ânot sure, but I am not really that confident with stuff like that >> >> > > Who told you this? > > I think you'll find most (if not all) USB/PC Card 3G modems on the market > are supported as Serial devices now. ÂIn Ubuntu 9.04/9.10 at least (and > probably a fair few other distros) there is support built in for mobile > broadband connections. > >> however the following in the 3 store caught my eye >> >> http://threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/?id=1397 >> >> so it seems i don't need to actually plug it in to my computer so don't >> need to worry about drivers > > Yep, it converts the 3G signal to wifi. ÂMeans carrying around and > remembering to charge another device though. ÂNot so bad I guess if you want > a mobile wifi connection to use with other devices too. > >> not sure what to get really it seems the offers are only on for a short >> period of time so by the time i have saved up the offer is closed, which >> is their loss really. >> >> > > I'd think about how much you're going to use it. ÂI bought my Vodafone modem > basically because it had 1GB of allowance that doesn't expire (at least it > hasn't expired in a year). ÂI very rarely use it, but I still have about Â9 > left on it (about 600 ish Meg I think). ÂIt suits me down to the ground as > when I'm out I tend to use the data allowance on my phone (and also the > browser/putty on my phone). Â1GB of allowance on Vodafone is about Â15 I > think. > > However if you're going to use it all the time then maybe you'd be better > off on something like Three where you pay X amount for 30 days (something > like Â10 for 1GB for 30 days or Â15 for 3GB for 30 days, and I believe Â25 > for 5GB for 30 days). ÂThe problem with Three is if you don't use all the > allowance within the 30 days, it's lost, so if like me, you only use say > 500MB, you've lost 500MB. > > On the other hand, if you want something in between, look at T-Mobile and > O2. ÂThey do a pay per day/week/month offer where you can say pay for a day > (something like Â2) and you get something like 500MB to use in that day, > great for if you want to use a lot of data in one day. ÂI think a week is > about Â10 which gives you about 1GB for the week, and something like Â15 for > the month (which I gather gives you about 3GB). ÂThe thing is, when the time > period is up, you loose the unused data. ÂI gather with O2 you also get free > wifi when you pay for the day/week/month of broadband which is handy if > you're near a suitable wifi hotspot. > > As John mentioned too, it's worth checking with regards to reception. ÂI > find my Vodafone modem (and my Three mobile) work pretty well in towns and > cities, but where I live the reception is patchy (I find it's better on > Three in my area). > >> I think rob b has confirmed the vodafone usb modem thing works out of >> the box or does it require some sort of drivers, Âdoing google comes up >> with a variety of answers, none of which seem to point to a simple >> installation. >> > > Yes it works out of the box. ÂOn Ubuntu 9.04/9.10 you simply plug it in and > set it up with an easy to follow wizard in network manager (the program that > deals with network connections in Ubuntu). ÂYou choose the country, the > network provider and then the type of connection (Contract, Prepay etc). > > There is also Vodafone software available for 3G modems, have a look at > this: http://www.betavine.net/bvportal/resources/datacards > > I managed to get it working on Ubuntu 8.04 with a Three USB modem. ÂIt was > branded Vodafone on the software at the time but it worked with Three. > > Rob > > > -- > The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG > http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list > FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html > -- Dan Dart _____ Need a website? Want some music tailored to you? Visit http://www.dandart.co.uk -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html