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  1. #1
    Frank Slootweg
    Guest
    [Crossposted to aus.comms.mobile and rec.travel.australia+nz. Somewhat
    off-topic for the latter, but this is for travel in Oz. I hope that
    aus.comms.mobile is the right group for this kind of question.]

    Has anyone any idea whether or not the Telstra Wireless Broadband USB
    Modem will work on a Linux system?

    See:

    <http://www.telstra.com.au/telstraprepaidplus/broadband/prepaidwireless.html>

    The site and Getting Started Guide mention only "PC" (which actually
    means (MS-)*Windows*) and Mac. I asked Telstra, but they only said

    > Telstra Pre-Paid Wireless Broadband USB modem works on a Mac and a PC
    > only. Linux is currently not included.


    which is kind of unspecific. I.e. does it really not *work* or is it
    'just' *unsupported*?

    I realize that the *Connection Manager* will not work, because it's a
    Windows/MAC executable, but I am wondering wether the USB Modem
    *itself*, i.e. the hardware, will work with Linux' standard network
    or/and USB drivers.

    You're probably wondering why the heck anyone would want to travel
    with a mobile *Linux* system, but nowadays many 'netbooks'/
    mini-notebooks are equipped with Linux, because Linux requires less
    resources and can run from a rugged Solid State Disk (SSD) instead of
    from a fragile normal hard-disk. (The latter was my main consideration,
    because we're going to rattle on many thousands of kms of unsealed roads
    in the outback.)

    I have such a mini-notebook, an Acer Aspire One with 8GB SSD, a fine
    machine. If you're interested, see the links below [1].

    Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

    BTW, I also have a question on public WiFi Wireless Hotspots in Oz.
    What would be the best aus.* group to ask such a question?

    [1]
    <http://www.acer.com.au/acer/akc/netbook.nsf/Page/Home_Netbook?open&current=8.6&ms=expand&>
    <http://global.acer.com/products/netbook/asone.htm>
    <http://www.acer.com/aspireone>



    See More: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?




  2. #2
    Polly the Parrot
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    On Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:57:28 +0200 Frank Slootweg <[email protected]>
    wrote:

    > Has anyone any idea whether or not the Telstra Wireless Broadband USB
    > Modem will work on a Linux system?


    I would be pleased if it did, but AFAIAA, no drivers, nor are there likely
    to be any.



  3. #3
    Frank Slootweg
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    [aus.computers.linux added.]

    Polly the Parrot <[email protected]> wrote:
    > On Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:57:28 +0200 Frank Slootweg <[email protected]>
    > wrote:
    >
    > > Has anyone any idea whether or not the Telstra Wireless Broadband USB
    > > Modem will work on a Linux system?

    >
    > I would be pleased if it did, but AFAIAA, no drivers, nor are there likely
    > to be any.


    Of course Telstra does not supply any Linux drivers, but I wonder
    whether any device *specific* - i.e. for this USB UMTS Modem - drivers
    are required? Wouldn't the USB Modem handle the UMTS-specific stuff and
    the USB side just look like *any* USB network connection, i.e. like for
    example a WiFi USB 'stick' (that's assuming that Linux has 'built-in'
    driver support for such sticks)?

    I admit that I'm guessing here. On Windows there's 'built-in' - i.e.
    no extra software needed - driver support for a lot of devices. I
    realize that Linux is both different and less universal, but AFAIK it
    has built-in driver support for quite a few common USB devices, so I'm
    hoping that includes USB network 'sticks'.



  4. #4
    Frank Slootweg
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    [aus.computers.linux added.]

    Will Kemp <[email protected]> wrote:
    > Frank Slootweg wrote:
    > > [Crossposted to aus.comms.mobile and rec.travel.australia+nz. Somewhat
    > > off-topic for the latter, but this is for travel in Oz. I hope that
    > > aus.comms.mobile is the right group for this kind of question.]
    > >
    > > Has anyone any idea whether or not the Telstra Wireless Broadband USB
    > > Modem will work on a Linux system?
    > >
    > > See:
    > >
    > > <http://www.telstra.com.au/telstraprepaidplus/broadband/prepaidwireless.html>
    > >
    > > The site and Getting Started Guide mention only "PC" (which actually
    > > means (MS-)*Windows*) and Mac. I asked Telstra, but they only said
    > >
    > >> Telstra Pre-Paid Wireless Broadband USB modem works on a Mac and a PC
    > >> only. Linux is currently not included.

    > >
    > > which is kind of unspecific. I.e. does it really not *work* or is it
    > > 'just' *unsupported*?
    > >
    > > I realize that the *Connection Manager* will not work, because it's a
    > > Windows/MAC executable, but I am wondering wether the USB Modem
    > > *itself*, i.e. the hardware, will work with Linux' standard network
    > > or/and USB drivers.

    >
    > You should try asking on aus.computers.linux too.


    Thanks. I took the liberty of crossposting this to
    aus.computers.linux, so that audience can see what this is about, and
    can hopefully help.

    > An alternative is to use a mobile phone with bluetooth and connect to
    > the net via bluetooth on the laptop and the mobile. That will definitely
    > work with Linux. I've done it without problems on Telstra's "NextG" network.


    I would prefer not to buy an UMTS/3G phone and AFAIK my (Acer Aspire
    One) mini-notebook doesn't have a bluetooth connection, so that might
    lead to a different (for a Bluetooth USB 'stick') driver problem, but
    that is probably easier to solve. I'll keep this path in mind as a
    possible alternative. Thanks for the suggestion.

    > > You're probably wondering why the heck anyone would want to travel
    > > with a mobile *Linux* system,

    >
    > No. I've been travelling with Linux notebooks, all over the world, for
    > 13 years now.
    >
    > > but nowadays many 'netbooks'/
    > > mini-notebooks are equipped with Linux, because Linux requires less
    > > resources and can run from a rugged Solid State Disk (SSD) instead of
    > > from a fragile normal hard-disk. (The latter was my main consideration,
    > > because we're going to rattle on many thousands of kms of unsealed roads
    > > in the outback.)

    >
    > Possibly a reasonable concern, but i just wrap mine in my bedroll and
    > i've never had any problems.




  5. #5
    Rod Speed
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    Frank Slootweg <[email protected]> wrote:
    > [Crossposted to aus.comms.mobile and rec.travel.australia+nz. Somewhat
    > off-topic for the latter, but this is for travel in Oz. I hope that
    > aus.comms.mobile is the right group for this kind of question.]


    You'd likely be a lot better with aus.comms and aus.computers, I've added them.

    > Has anyone any idea whether or not the Telstra Wireless Broadband USB
    > Modem will work on a Linux system?
    >
    > See:
    >
    > <http://www.telstra.com.au/telstraprepaidplus/broadband/prepaidwireless.html>
    >
    > The site and Getting Started Guide mention only "PC" (which actually
    > means (MS-)*Windows*) and Mac. I asked Telstra, but they only said
    >
    >> Telstra Pre-Paid Wireless Broadband USB modem works on a Mac and a PC
    >> only. Linux is currently not included.

    >
    > which is kind of unspecific. I.e. does it really not *work* or is it
    > 'just' *unsupported*?
    >
    > I realize that the *Connection Manager* will not work, because it's a
    > Windows/MAC executable, but I am wondering wether the USB Modem
    > *itself*, i.e. the hardware, will work with Linux' standard network
    > or/and USB drivers.
    >
    > You're probably wondering why the heck anyone would want to travel
    > with a mobile *Linux* system, but nowadays many 'netbooks'/
    > mini-notebooks are equipped with Linux, because Linux requires less
    > resources and can run from a rugged Solid State Disk (SSD) instead of
    > from a fragile normal hard-disk. (The latter was my main
    > consideration, because we're going to rattle on many thousands of kms
    > of unsealed roads in the outback.)
    >
    > I have such a mini-notebook, an Acer Aspire One with 8GB SSD, a fine
    > machine. If you're interested, see the links below [1].
    >
    > Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
    >
    > BTW, I also have a question on public WiFi Wireless Hotspots in Oz.
    > What would be the best aus.* group to ask such a question?
    >
    > [1]
    > <http://www.acer.com.au/acer/akc/netbook.nsf/Page/Home_Netbook?open&current=8.6&ms=expand&>
    > <http://global.acer.com/products/netbook/asone.htm>
    > <http://www.acer.com/aspireone>






  6. #6
    Sandgroper
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?


    "Frank Slootweg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > [aus.computers.linux added.]
    >
    > Thanks. I took the liberty of crossposting this to
    > aus.computers.linux, so that audience can see what this is about, and
    > can hopefully help.
    >
    >> An alternative is to use a mobile phone with bluetooth and connect to
    >> the net via bluetooth on the laptop and the mobile. That will definitely
    >> work with Linux. I've done it without problems on Telstra's "NextG"
    >> network.

    >
    > I would prefer not to buy an UMTS/3G phone and AFAIK my (Acer Aspire
    > One) mini-notebook doesn't have a bluetooth connection, so that might
    > lead to a different (for a Bluetooth USB 'stick') driver problem, but
    > that is probably easier to solve. I'll keep this path in mind as a
    > possible alternative. Thanks for the suggestion.
    >


    These links might be of help.

    Whirlpool
    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum....cfm?t=1061996

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...s.cfm?t=897808

    http://quozl.linux.org.au/bp3-usb/#configuring-kernel

    http://oozie.fm.interia.pl/pro/huawei-e220/


    --
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Naked DSL ?
    No thanks , I like to wear clothes when I use my computer


    Sandgroper
    ------------------------------------
    Remove KNICKERS to Email
    [email protected]





  7. #7
    Gerrit
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?


    "Frank Slootweg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > Has anyone any idea whether or not the Telstra Wireless Broadband USB
    > Modem will work on a Linux system?
    >


    Frank

    If you are doing your usual thing and hiring a 4WD the question I would have
    to ask of you is this. Is it worth even thinking about a wireless connection
    seeing as you will be out of range most of the time?
    If you are desperate to be connected then I would think about a satellite
    dish. But that would be big bucks.

    Where will you be going this time?

    Gerrit





  8. #8
    Frank Slootweg
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    [aus.computers.linux not added this time, because this is rather
    off-topic for that group.]

    Gerrit <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > "Frank Slootweg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > >
    > > Has anyone any idea whether or not the Telstra Wireless Broadband USB
    > > Modem will work on a Linux system?
    > >

    >
    > Frank
    >
    > If you are doing your usual thing and hiring a 4WD the question I would have
    > to ask of you is this. Is it worth even thinking about a wireless connection
    > seeing as you will be out of range most of the time?
    > If you are desperate to be connected then I would think about a satellite
    > dish. But that would be big bucks.
    >
    > Where will you be going this time?


    Gerrit,

    Thanks for your concern/warning.

    I understand - also from looking at (Telstra's) coverage charts - that
    3G/NextG/UMTS/<whatever> coverage in rural/outback areas is much, much
    better than GSM coverage. GSM (i.e. GPRS) coverage would indeed be
    rather useless.

    We will be going basically 'everywhere', especially unsealed roads/
    tracks in rural/outback areas in (SA,) NSW, QLD, NT and WA.

    We have no real 'need' to be connected, but I'd like to try what's
    it's like to have a laptop/mini-notebook with us. I always stayed
    cleared from much technology on our trips, only GPS, EPIRB and GSM
    mobile. But with these sexy mini-notebooks, I could no longer control
    myself. I'm only human, you know! :-)

    Frank



  9. #9
    Frank Slootweg
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    First of all thanks to all respondents!

    Will Kemp <[email protected]> wrote:
    [...]

    > An alternative is to use a mobile phone with bluetooth and connect to
    > the net via bluetooth on the laptop and the mobile. That will definitely
    > work with Linux. I've done it without problems on Telstra's "NextG" network.


    Earlier I said that I would prefer not to buy an UMTS/3G phone, but
    I've since reconsidered:

    My current Dutch GSM phone with pre-paid Telstra SIM, has very bad
    coverage, especially in the rural/outback areas where we intend to go.
    And a NextG pre-paid phone seems to cost about the same as the Telstra
    Wireless Broadband USB Modem ($149), so I might as well buy a NextG
    pre-paid phone and kill two birds with one stone, better coverage for
    normal voice calls (and SMS) and broadband Internet for my Linux mini-
    notebook.

    I've studied the information on Telstra's Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband page
    (<http://www.telstra.com.au/telstraprepaidplus/broadband/unplanned.html>
    and it looks like the Samsung A411 ($149) and LG TU500 ($179) NextG
    Pre-Paid phones will give the best rural coverage (Telstra Blue Tick
    handset) and offer Bluetooth and Internet (see [1] below).

    But now the problem/questions for/from this clueless newbie:

    How to proceed from here?

    The NextG phones apparently have a USB connection to the notebook, but
    the software which comes with the phone is again for (MS-)Windows. What
    do I need to do on the Linux side? (My mini-notebook has three USB
    ports, so the hardware side is not a problem.)

    And about the Bluetooth connection which you mention: The Telstra
    information talks about "Stereo Bluetooth" i.e. for things like audio
    headsets, but what about the Bluetooth phone-to-computer connection
    which you mention, can these phones do that, and if so, what do I need
    to do on the Linux side?

    My mini-notebook does not have Bluetooth, so I will have to buy/use a
    Bluetooth USB-'stick' for that. Would that be easy to configure/use
    under Linux?

    N.B. An added complication is that I have to prepare, configure, etc.
    this stuff at home in The Netherlands, *without* the phone, NextG
    network, etc., because I can only buy the phone on arrival in Oz. And
    once I am in Oz, I have no (other) Internet access, so I can't lookup
    things on the web before the mobile Internet connection works, Catch-22.

    Sorry for these newbie questions, but *this* stuff is completely new
    for me.

    BTW, my Linux version in Linplus Linux Lite, which is based on
    (Red Hat) Fedora (<http://www.linpus.com> and
    <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linpus_Linux>).

    FYI, I have extensive professional UNIX (HP-UX) experience, but
    practically no Linux experience. I have sufficient hardwired and WiFi
    networking experience, but the latter only on (MS-)Windows. Same for
    USB. I have no Bluetooth experience.

    Again thanks in advance for any and all response. And thanks for
    reading this far! :-)

    [1]
    <https://shop.telstra.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=11651&categoryId=30920>



  10. #10
    Polly the Parrot
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    On Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:17:07 +0200 Frank Slootweg <[email protected]>
    wrote:

    > My mini-notebook does not have Bluetooth, so I will have to buy/use a
    > Bluetooth USB-'stick' for that. Would that be easy to configure/use
    > under Linux?


    What distro do you have?



  11. #11
    Frank Slootweg
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    Polly the Parrot <[email protected]> wrote:
    > On Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:17:07 +0200 Frank Slootweg <[email protected]>
    > wrote:
    >
    > > My mini-notebook does not have Bluetooth, so I will have to buy/use a
    > > Bluetooth USB-'stick' for that. Would that be easy to configure/use
    > > under Linux?

    >
    > What distro do you have?


    That was hidden somewhere in my longish article! :-) :

    > > BTW, my Linux version in Linplus Linux Lite, which is based on
    > > (Red Hat) Fedora (<http://www.linpus.com> and
    > > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linpus_Linux>).




  12. #12
    Polly the Parrot
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    On Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:48:51 +0200 Frank Slootweg <[email protected]>
    wrote:

    > That was hidden somewhere in my longish article! :-) :


    Too lazy to look for it! ;-)
    >
    > > > BTW, my Linux version in Linplus Linux Lite, which is based on
    > > > (Red Hat) Fedora (<http://www.linpus.com> and
    > > > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linpus_Linux>).


    May have driver, why not ask in redhat ng?




  13. #13
    Gerrit
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?


    "Frank Slootweg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > Thanks for your concern/warning.
    >
    > I understand - also from looking at (Telstra's) coverage charts - that
    > 3G/NextG/UMTS/<whatever> coverage in rural/outback areas is much, much
    > better than GSM coverage. GSM (i.e. GPRS) coverage would indeed be
    > rather useless.
    >
    > We will be going basically 'everywhere', especially unsealed roads/
    > tracks in rural/outback areas in (SA,) NSW, QLD, NT and WA.
    >
    > We have no real 'need' to be connected, but I'd like to try what's
    > it's like to have a laptop/mini-notebook with us. I always stayed
    > cleared from much technology on our trips, only GPS, EPIRB and GSM
    > mobile. But with these sexy mini-notebooks, I could no longer control
    > myself. I'm only human, you know! :-)
    >
    > Frank


    Let us know how you went after you return to the Netherlands.
    I have been thinking about one of them too, but then one with a hard drive
    so that I can take photos to my heart's content.

    OR - Maybe you can write a travelogue as you go, and post the instalments
    here, to prove it works! :-)

    Gerrit





  14. #14
    Gerrit
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?


    "Gerrit" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > "Frank Slootweg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >>
    >> Thanks for your concern/warning.
    >>
    >> I understand - also from looking at (Telstra's) coverage charts - that
    >> 3G/NextG/UMTS/<whatever> coverage in rural/outback areas is much, much
    >> better than GSM coverage. GSM (i.e. GPRS) coverage would indeed be
    >> rather useless.
    >>
    >> We will be going basically 'everywhere', especially unsealed roads/
    >> tracks in rural/outback areas in (SA,) NSW, QLD, NT and WA.
    >>
    >> We have no real 'need' to be connected, but I'd like to try what's
    >> it's like to have a laptop/mini-notebook with us. I always stayed
    >> cleared from much technology on our trips, only GPS, EPIRB and GSM
    >> mobile. But with these sexy mini-notebooks, I could no longer control
    >> myself. I'm only human, you know! :-)
    >>
    >> Frank

    >
    > Let us know how you went after you return to the Netherlands.
    > I have been thinking about one of them too, but then one with a hard drive
    > so that I can take photos to my heart's content.
    >
    > OR - Maybe you can write a travelogue as you go, and post the instalments
    > here, to prove it works! :-)
    >
    > Gerrit
    >


    OH and BTW I saw a "news" item the other day where a young bloke had used
    his mobile as a modem. In two months his bill had risen to some $40,000.
    Better check the fine print.





  15. #15
    Frank Slootweg
    Guest

    Re: (Telstra) Wireless Broadband USB Modem under Linux?

    Gerrit <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > "Gerrit" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > >
    > > "Frank Slootweg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > > news:[email protected]...
    > >>
    > >> Thanks for your concern/warning.
    > >>
    > >> I understand - also from looking at (Telstra's) coverage charts - that
    > >> 3G/NextG/UMTS/<whatever> coverage in rural/outback areas is much, much
    > >> better than GSM coverage. GSM (i.e. GPRS) coverage would indeed be
    > >> rather useless.
    > >>
    > >> We will be going basically 'everywhere', especially unsealed roads/
    > >> tracks in rural/outback areas in (SA,) NSW, QLD, NT and WA.
    > >>
    > >> We have no real 'need' to be connected, but I'd like to try what's
    > >> it's like to have a laptop/mini-notebook with us. I always stayed
    > >> cleared from much technology on our trips, only GPS, EPIRB and GSM
    > >> mobile. But with these sexy mini-notebooks, I could no longer control
    > >> myself. I'm only human, you know! :-)
    > >>
    > >> Frank

    > >
    > > Let us know how you went after you return to the Netherlands.
    > > I have been thinking about one of them too, but then one with a hard drive
    > > so that I can take photos to my heart's content.


    If you're not a gravel road addict like me, a hard drive is probably
    wise. However if the storage is only for photos, you might want to buy a
    seperate 2.5 inch 'travel' drive, because the drive consumes a lot of
    power, so short battery life. As to battery, there will be a bigger
    battery for the Acer Aspire One, so try to get that.

    If you get an internal hard drive, then get the (MS-)Windows version,
    normally XP. (Hopefully the aus.computers.linux group isn't watching!)
    While, as is shown in this thread, things can probably be made to work
    on Linux, it's most of the time anything but straight-forward, while
    most consumer products have Windows support in and out-of the box. Some,
    like the Telstra NextG USB Modem even have Windows (and Mac) software
    *in* the device, i.e. like a memory stick.

    BTW, there should also be a 3[.5]G version of the Acer Aspire One in
    the future. The general spec sheet already mentions the specs, and for a
    layman like me, it looks like it will do everything, i.e. all the
    frequencies, both for GSM and UMTS [1]:

    <Acer>

    WWAN: UMTS/HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access) at 850/1900/2100 MHz and
    quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), upgradeable to 7.2 Mb/s
    HSDPA and 2 Mb/s HSUPA (for 3G models)
    Supports receiver diversity and equalizes at 2100 MHz

    </Acer>

    > > OR - Maybe you can write a travelogue as you go, and post the instalments
    > > here, to prove it works! :-)


    Nah, I'm planning use the computer as little as possible, I'd rather
    watch the scenery! :-) It's main 'use' will be to use the web to find
    out travel information as we go along. Of course we will also prepare at
    home, but it's impossible to do/know everything in advance.

    > OH and BTW I saw a "news" item the other day where a young bloke had used
    > his mobile as a modem. In two months his bill had risen to some $40,000.
    > Better check the fine print.


    In our newspaper it was Euro 40,000, about 1.7 times as much. So it
    looks like a little bit of urban legend with 40,000 in any currency.
    There must be *some* currency where 40,000 isn't too much! :-)

    But seriously, mobile Internet, especially web, can indeed be very,
    very expensive. Because I can't have a three-month contract anyway, and
    probably can not have any contract, being one of them furinners, I'll
    have to go pre-paid anyway, so unless I'm totally stupid ("Shut up,
    Tineke!" :-)), I can't lose that much money.

    [1]
    <http://www.acer.nl/public/page9.do?sp=page4&dau34.oid=40808&UserCtxParam=0&GroupCtxParam=0&dctx1=3&CountryISOCtxParam=NL&LanguageISOCtxParam=nl&ctx3=-1&ctx4=Nederland&crc=1127473288>



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