Mobile Broadband On Ubuntu - Still A Ways To Go?

Wireless has made tremendous strides on the Linux desktop. Despite what those who cling tightly to their problematic Broadcom chipsets might like to think, I have actually seen less headaches with Ubuntu 9.04 PCLinuxOS 2009 than I have seen with Vista - no kidding. The key is following suit with the right chipset. For those people out there cursed with Broadcom chipsets, I would suggest this. Has never failed me on Ubuntu - key is to NOT install any drivers from anywhere and to NOT follow the wrong advice from the Ubuntu forums. Simply connect and enjoy. First run might take a minute, but it is near instant after that. For DNS issues, comment me here.

But despite seeing wireless options on Ubuntu amongst other distros doing well thanks to the newest wireless stack, EVDO is still very much a work in progress. Anti-Linux whiners will say this is a hardware issue when in fact, Linux actually knows what each device is out of the box. No, the issues with EVDO dongles stems from simple configuration. Even though GNOME has made great strides in adding EVDO support to network manager, sadly it is not very effective.

Now for the good news: you are using Linux. This means if you have mastered the art of cutting and pasting, following very simply directions, you can use available work-a-rounds. Which carriers are best? Well we know AT&T is a joke for mobile broadband. Here in the states, I recommend one of the following. For monthly services, use Sprint as they actually provide a great Linux howto with their products (PDF file).

On the pay as you go front, consider using Virgin Mobile’s Broadband2Go option. This tutorial, while a bit to cut and paste, is actually not difficult for anyone familiar with the copy and paste command. This being said, yes, this still sucks. But remember where wireless used to be. Back when you had to “up and down” your device just to get it working. These days with compatible hardware, it is plug and play, folks. I see EVDO arriving their soon.