What are my 3G mobile usb modem options for Ubuntu?

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jahc

92 posts

Master Geek

#36721 1-Jul-2009 03:47

Vodafone has the most attractive plans for me, for the limited amount of mobile broadband I want to use with my laptop. The Vodem vstick at $250 or so is very pricey. (and I dont want a fixed term for 2 years to get a free modem!).

I'm very new to mobile broadband.. theres woosh, theres vodafone, theres telecom mobile.. but I dont really know about the standards. I'm wondering, can I buy my mobile broadband equipment from someone else other than Vodafone? And get it cheaper? And will it work with Vodafone? (or any other provider for that matter.. but for now I'm focusing on Vodafone, because I like their prepay system).

I'm going to be out and about with my laptop, so I want something small and portable like what Vodafone and Telecom offer. I'm not keen on tethering by bluetooth to a phone, though.

Hope my questions arent too silly.. Thanks for any help guys. :)

knoydart

904 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#229756 1-Jul-2009 05:38

As used for the 1st 5 months of this year. $60 vodem from trade me, contract sim card (admittatly on a 0 term contract) and then added data as required. Used the $1 a day for 10 Meg as default unless I needed more and bought data for the month. On the driver front, have a look here for a Geekzone blog about doing what you might need.

Kind regards

Knoydart

openmedia

3324 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#229808 1-Jul-2009 10:02

The Huawei 220 works well thanks to Vodafone's support, but you could just use a 3g phone over USB or bluetooth.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

kirjava

69 posts

Master Geek

#230241 2-Jul-2009 12:16

Remember also that the Huawei E220 only supports WCDMA/HSDPA (3G "broadband" speeds) on the 2100mhz network, which does not have as much coverage as their 900mhz "3g extended" network. Personally I have used a Nokia 5800 and it works out of the box with recent Ubuntu versions, in all it's extended 3g glory.

Novatel Merlin U630 (PCMCIA datacard) is another option which works - not sure about the newer expresscard cards.

Rene