[ubuntu-uk] Vodafone Topup and Go Mobile Broadband dongle on Ubuntu 8.10

[Rob Beard]

Andrew Robinson wrote:
> Hi Rob,
>
> I found your post on the ubuntu.com lists about your success with
> using the Vodafone PAYG broadband dongle in linux.
> Thank you so much for your post - I'm currently running Ubuntu 9.04
> and looking for a broadband PAYG dongle - your post gives me a fair
> degree of confidence that I'll be able to get it up and running
> without much trouble.
>
> I have a couple of further questions that I hope you could help me with.
>
> 1.  Have you upgraded to Ubuntu 9.04 , and if so does the dongle work ok there?
>
>   
Yes, it works fine on Ubuntu 9.04.  Also works on Ubuntu 9.10 too (well, 
it is detected and I can specify that it is a Vodafone modem, I can't 
get any reception at home to test the connection).

I did find the MicroSD card reader is not recognised on Ubuntu 9.04, but 
it works okay on 9.10 so you can put in up to a 4GB MicroSD card 
(haven't got anything bigger than this to test) and you can also use it 
as a USB stick.
> 2.  Is your dongle the same as this one:
> http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband-devices/usb-modem-stick-topup-and-go?compatible=false
> http://www.play.com/Mobiles/Mobile/4-/8561745/Vodafone-USB-Pre-Pay-Broadband-Dongle/ProductReviews.html?cpage=2
>   
Yep that's the one.  The model number is K3565 and it's made by Huawei.
> 3.  Do you have any problems topping up?  On the vodafone topup page I
> noticed that you need to enter your Vodafone Mobile Connect  11-digit
> number.  Is VMC the PC application for connecting, and if so how do
> you find out your 11-digit number in linux?
>
>   
I haven't actually topped it up yet, I've had it since about March and 
still have £9 credit on there (I don't use it much).  There is some 
Linux Vodafone Connect software available which you can get from here:

https://forge.betavine.net/projects/vodafonemobilec/

I'm not sure if that would allow topping up.  I know it does allow SMS 
text messaging.  The last time I used it was on a Three contract modem 
(which I was surprised about, a Three modem working with Vodafone 
software!).

Someone on the Ubuntu UK mailing list might be able to help.

> 4.  Is it easy/possible to find out how much of your 1Gb allowance
> you've used?
>
>   
Well I'm not sure when using the Linux software.  Using the Windows 
software you basically select the option to view balance and it will 
tell you how much is left.  Rather than in Megabytes, it lists it in 
pounds and pence (hence me having about £9 credit left).  What I do know 
though is you need to top up by £15 at a time, you can't top up less 
(not sure if you can say top up by £30 to get 2GB allowance).

Hope this helps.

I'll cc it to the Ubuntu UK list and maybe someone else might be able to 
fill in the gaps.

Ta,

Rob