This is the first EDGE/GPRS modem I setup in Ubuntu. I’m not sure what the model is as it is not mentioned on the body of the modem. Initially on plugging it in I noticed some errors. However unplugging/plugging it a couple of times sorted it out. Unlike the CDMA modems, it also requires an access point name. It should be familiar for those who setup their phones for GPRS access when Airtel first started this service. The speed however is much slower than that of Reliance. This model also no longer displays on Airtel’s website. Airtel however has a wider coverage than Reliance and a slow connection is better than no connection.

[ 3710.299187] usb 3-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 5
[ 3710.555245] usb 3-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
[ 3710.562843] cp2101 3-1:1.0: cp2101 converter detected
[ 3710.700490] usb 3-1: reset full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 5
[ 3710.893862] usb 3-1: cp2101 converter now attached to ttyUSB0

lsusb dumped the following information, the last line being of particular interest.

Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 005: ID 10c4:ea60 Cygnal Integrated Products, Inc. CP210x Composite Device

To configure wvdial, type sudo wvdialconf Normally it  should show you that it has detected a modem at the end of the commands output. (If you don’t have wvdial do a sudo apt-get install wvdial -You need to be online to do this) In this case however it will tell you that it could not find a modem -which is ok.

All you need to do is  edit /etc/wvdial.conf (sudo nano /etc/wvdial.conf) Make sure that in the line Modem = /dev/ttyUSB0 corresponds to the USB port your data card is connected to.

Then, Copy and paste the following lines into your wvdial.conf overwriting the existing text or edit it to look like this.

Note: If you are copying and pasting, the quotes will get mangled and you will need to delete and renter all the quotes/comma’s

[Dialer Defaults]
Init1 =  AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”airtelgprs.com”,”",0,0
Modem Type = Analog Modem
Phone = *99#
Username = a;
Password = a;
Baud = 460800
New PPPD = yes
Modem = /dev/ttyUSB0
ISDN = 0
Set Volume = 0
FlowControl = Hardware (CRTSCTS)
Dial Command = ATDT
Baud = 460800
Stupid Mode = 1

Now you can connect by opening a terminal and typing in wvdial from the terminal. If you get any permission errors, try sudo wvdial. I haven’t managed to figure this one out yet. On some somputers it works without sudo, on some others, I need to use sudo to connect.

1. Prashant May 30, 2010 2:41 pm

   Thanks for this. It worked absolutely fine in my system for AIRTEL.

   Could you please let me know the relevant changes to be made if I wish to connect to a TATA DOCOMO mobile GPRS instead of AIRTEL GPRS.

   Kindly help.

   Thanks and regards,

   [Translate]
2. Rufus June 9, 2010 3:30 pm

   Hi Prashant, Glad it worked for you. I do not have a Tata Docomo connection, so I would not be able to check out the method/settings for you. I do however have a Tata Photon Plus mobile broadband connection and will be trying it out shortly and posting the required information. I suggest that you go in for a mobile broadband connection too (If you travel around as much as I do) as GPRS is pretty slow by today’s standards from any service provider.

   warm regards.

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