Home / ubuntu / Questions / 3084
In Process
stone1343
Asked: 2010-08-26 03:48:26 +0800 CST

How do I get a 3G USB modem to work?

  • 772

Since at least Jaunty, I've tried to get my wife's 3G USB modem to work on Ubuntu, always with the same result - instant, complete system freeze.

I've tried installing`wvdial and usb-modeswitch, I've read tons of documentation but it gets quite disjointed from one release to the next, nothing works. I can't run lsusb because the system hangs immediately.

I'm using Lucid and it's a Rogers "Rocket Stick" (in Canada)

10.04 configuration usb-modem usb-modeswitch

2 Answers

  1. Try this “automagic” script: sakis3g. No need to install anything, just run the script; it will guide you through menus.

    After you make it work, you can create a small script calling the sakis3g-script having set up some environment variables for your convenience. Here follows mine:

    export BAUD=MAX MODEM=1bbb:0000 APN=3g-internet SIM_PIN=1234
(sakis3g-script helper&)&

    The $MODEM is the vendor-id:product-id code so I don't have to select it everytime I start the sakis3g-script; $APN is your provider's suggested login name; the SIM_PIN is rather obvious.

    See also that question in SuperUser.

    • 2

  2. The real answer is to start with a supported device. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetworkManager for a list of working devices.

    • -1