Ubuntu
network-manager package

Hardy Heron and 3G Broadband

Asked by Alistair Kelman

I have an old Toshiba laptop running Hardy Heron. I am going on holiday to Cornwall and want to get a 3G USB modem which can be made to work on it so that i can at least check my e-mail while I am away. Does anyone have any recommendations which they know will work? And should I upgrade the Toshiba to a later version of Ubuntu?

I am looking at getting a cheap PAYG 3G service - it is not going to be normal for me to need this on the fly.

regards

AK

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu network-manager Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Alistair Kelman
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Craig Huffstetler (xq) said : 		#1

This is a great thread for you to read on this subject:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=917638

It's also in your location!

To compile what I've seen, and from friends in the U.K., I believe that the following providers (and modems) would be best suited for your needs:
Modems tested and work with Network Manager 0.7:
Huawei E220 (only 3.2 MB/s) - http://www.three.co.uk/_standalone/Device_Detail?content_aid=1214305803334 / http://www.callum-macdonald.com/2008/06/27/mobile-broadband-is-go/
E172 (E172 preferred as it is faster at 7.2MB/s)

You can get both from:
http://www.three.co.uk/Home
or http://online.vodafone.co.uk

Here are 30 day accounts from Vodaphone:
http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/mobile-broadband/mobilebroadband/&planDuration=30
(You pay £20 a month every month until you give them your 30 cancellation notice...).

3 is pay as you go (per GB) which is a problem, the other is not. It really depends on how much you plan on using the Internet and what you plan on using it for. Vodafone have a 'monthly contract' and you pay 49GBP for the modem. Monthly contract is 20GBP but the overlimit usage penalty is not as severe as 3's because of the usage rates...

You do not have to upgrade to Intrepid Ibex to get Network Manager 0.7. You can just upgrade to Network Manager 0.7 to get the support you need for these USB Modems. However, you could just upgrade to Intrepid Ibex and have Network Manager 0.7 -- it's really personal choice. But the easier choice is obviously just upgrading one package.

To upgrade to Network Manage 0.7 in Hardy do this:
Add the following lines to your /etc/apt/sources.list:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/network-manager/ubuntu hardy main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/network-manager/ubuntu hardy main

In a terminal run:

sudo apt-get update

In a terminal run:

sudo apt-get upgrade

If you get an error that the Network Manager applet can't start because certain/some resources are not available then in a terminal run:

sudo update-icon-caches

And you will be fine.

Cheers,

Craig

If you do want to upgrade to Intrepid Ibex then follow this guide:
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/upgrade-ubuntu-804-hardy-heron-to-ubuntu-810-intrepid-ibex-beta.html

Revision history for this message
Alistair Kelman (ali-kelman) said : 		#2

Thanks Craig,

I set about upgrading to Intrepid Ibex and this is running in background. Unfortunately I have found that the 3G network is not available in the parts of Cornwall where I will be staying. So I will instead take my Linux laptop and search for WiFi points in Truro and Falmouth.

Kind Regards

AK