Mobile GPRS Internet on Linux

[videogenie]

Is anyone aware here of a GPRS mobile device (or mobile method) that will work under Linux, and specifically Ubuntu 8.04?

I am in the process gradually, of moving from my trusty Windows laptop that has many applications installed. However one area that I haven't yet planned for, is that currently I connect to the Internet using my GPRS mobile phone, connected via USB. Windows has the phone's drivers installed and I dial up in about 1 second or so. It works very well for me.

Here in Thailand we *also* have various USB modems on the market that accept a SIM card. These operate in place of a mobile phone. Either way I am happy to buy one of these, or use the modem within a mobile phone. We are not on 3G here, but have EDGE GPRS. Anyway the technology is not important to me - simple GPRS is fine. I have purchased phones in Europe and they work ok on Thailand's GPRS service.

Alternatively my phones include Motorola V3 and Sony Ericsson K610, both with with built-in modems but I suspect that Linux will not have drivers that support these phones. Maybe this is possible, I don't know.

Finally I'd like to say I think this site is a very good resource for people interested in moving to Linux and thank those who contribute to it.

[devils casper]

Most of GPRS mobiles work fine under Linux.
Plug-in Mobile Device, open Terminal and execute this

hcitool scan

Does it detect mobile device and display its ID?

[videogenie]

Most of GPRS mobiles work fine under Linux.
Plug-in Mobile Device, open Terminal and execute this

hcitool scan

Does it detect mobile device and display its ID?

Yes it does. I have also successfully connected with the K610i phone via Ubuntu's bluetooth utility.

hcitool scan
Scanning ...
00:19:63:E7:2E:17 K610i


I can see my folders on my mobile phone, and files containing pictures etc. It has mounted as a volume on the desktop. But how about using it as a modem?

[temp]

Create /etc/wvdial.conf file as

[Dialer Defaults]
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Modem Type = USB Modem
FlowControl = Hardware(CRTSCTS)
Dial Command = ATDT
SetVolume=0
Baud = 460800
New PPPD = yes
Modem = /dev/rfcomm0
Inherits = Modem0
ISDN = 0
Phone = *99***1#
Mode = 1
Password = none
Ask Password = 0
Username = none
stupid mode = 1
Compuserve = 0
Idle Seconds = 2000
Auto DNS = 1

Change phone number, username etc, if needed.

First as root issue the command
rfcomm bind 0 00:19:63:E7:2E:17 1

and then

wvdial

It should work.

[videogenie]

Create /etc/wvdial.conf file as

Change phone number, username etc, if needed.

First as root issue the command
rfcomm bind 0 00:19:63:E7:2E:17 1

and then

wvdial

It should work.

Thanks, it's nearly working, I think! Does it need [Modem0] putting into the wvdial.conf file? If so, where?

# wvdial
--> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.60
--> Warning: inherited section [Modem0] does not exist in wvdial.conf
--> Cannot open /dev/rfcomm0: Connection refused
--> Cannot open /dev/rfcomm0: Connection refused
--> Cannot open /dev/rfcomm0: Connection refused

[temp]

Thanks, it's nearly working, I think! Does it need [Modem0] putting into the wvdial.conf file? If so, where?

# wvdial
--> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.60
--> Warning: inherited section [Modem0] does not exist in wvdial.conf
--> Cannot open /dev/rfcomm0: Connection refused
--> Cannot open /dev/rfcomm0: Connection refused
--> Cannot open /dev/rfcomm0: Connection refused

Forgot to mention that you need to pair phone and adapter as well.
After issuing command wvdial, phone will ask you to enter any PIN. Enter anything say 0 and press OK. Now on PC, you will be asked to enter the same code to get the connection working.

[Roxoff]

I use a GPRS device successfully with Fedora 9. I have a huwei device from 3, and I plugged it in and connected without any hassle whatsoever using NetworkManager - all it needed was for me to click on the icon on the Gnome panel and tell it to use the wireless.

Fedora 9 uses NetworkManager 0.7 for this, I believe, and that should be available for Ubuntu too.

[wnaris]

I've just switched from Linpus to Fed 11 preview for the same reason: need to connect via GPRS without turning to window platform.

My Fed 11 XFCE works so fine, and connects to internet via the PPC right from the box.

All you need is Fed 9+, just enable internet sharing on your PPC then plug it with USB cable.