23 October 2009

How To Connect to Internet Using Smart Bro Prepaid ZTE MF627 on Ubuntu Jaunty

We have seen instructions like this (http://stephencuyos.com/?p=768) on how to connect to internet on Smart Bro using Ubuntu. However, in this illustration, Fr. Stephen Cuyos was actually talking about his modem which is a Huawei E156C (and I think it would still be applicable with any Huawei model).


However, the latest modem from Smart is the ZTE MF627 (see image), which is not yet supported inherently by Ubuntu. That's why we have to install some drivers yet in order to make the modem work with Ubuntu Jaunty.

I think I read somewhere in the Ubuntu Forums that the same model may already be supported in Ubuntu Karmic, which as of this writing is coming in 6 days.

Anyways, off with the tutorial:

We try to do it the GUI way as much as possible:


Add the repository for the driver:

Open System>>Administrator>>Software Sources
Key in your sudo password as may be necessary.
On the Third-Party Software tab, click Add and paste this two apt line:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/liamgh/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/liamgh/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main


Next, download the signing key for the repository and save wherever you want, say the Desktop. Then back to the Software Sources, click on Authentication tab, and click Import Key File, and select the signing key file you've just downloaded.

Install the Drivers

There are two applications that you need to install (zte-mf627-switch and usb-modeswitch). If you want you can do it from the Synaptic Package Manager. Or, just simply issue the following command in the terminal.
sudo aptitude install zte-mf627-switch usb-modeswitch
Now We Can Connect

Now if we plug the kit to our system, you should be able to see an icon in the desktop recognizing the usb device. The New Mobile Broadband Connection window would more likely popup. If not, then edit your connections and add the device accordingly.

Follow the settings as prescribed here and you're all set to go!

Credit also goes to Linux Diaries.

6 comments:

  1. it require a password to connect. according to the prompt

    ReplyDelete
  2. what is the smart default password?

    ReplyDelete
  3. i'm sorry. all I know there's no username password.

    Sent from my iPad

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just want to say that this works for Karmic Koala, too! Basically I had to reboot after installing zte-mf627-switch and usb-modeswitch. After which, add a new Mobile Broadband Connection and choose this device "ZTE Incorporated ZTE CDMA Technologies MSM". Then just follow the instructions in http://stephencuyos.com/.

    Thanks so much for these instructions. Helped me a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm glad I could be of help! thanks for the visit and the comment.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I already did what was said here. And I believe my dongle is working. However, I still can't get my browser to function using the dongle even if it is connected to the internet as the signal indicator says.

    Any suggestions on how to solve this? I maybe using a wrong setting.

    ReplyDelete