Make a GSM data card(like Airtel, Vodafone data cards) work in Linux

Plugin the datacard and type : ls /dev/ttyUSB*
Check if the following files are listed
/dev/ttyUSB0 /dev/ttyUSB1 /dev/ttyUSB2 /dev/ttyUSB3

If not then,
Download the file : huaweiAktBbo.c
(http://www.kanoistika.sk/bobovsky/archiv/umts/huaweiAktBbo.c)

Type lsusb and check the output ...

It should b something like this:

sam@sam-laptop:/proc$ lsusb
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 12d1:1001 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. E620 USB Modem
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000

Line number 5 shows the vendor ID is 0x12d1 and product ID is 0x1001

now open the c file and search for
vendor = 0x12d1;
product = 0x1003;
and replace them with your values.
vendor = 0x12d1;
product = 0x1001;
in my case

The libusb-dev package is required to compile the c file..
To install it in Ubuntu or Debian, type:
sudo apt-get install libusb-dev

Compile:
gcc huaweiAktBbo.c -o huaweiAktBbo -lusb
Run:
sudo huaweiAktBbo

Download the GUI from betavine: (This software is provided by Vodafone R&D Lab, but it works with Airtel as well)
https://forge.betavine.net/frs/?group_id=12&release_id=116
Pick download the software whichever is applicable for you

chmod +x vodafone-mobile-connect-card-driver-for-linux-2.0.beta2-ubuntu-installer.run
./vodafone-mobile-connect-card-driver-for-linux-2.0.beta2-ubuntu-installer.run
On running the setup it might get stuck for a while downloading dependencies, so get a cup of coffee and get back. If it is still not done then wait. If there is a message 'Installation complete' then everthing is fine.

Once the software is installed, run it from applications --> internet --> vodafone.
A window will pop up listing the devices found. Press ok if your device is listed. Then make a new profile.

Give a profile name, username and password (if it is not to authenticate your account then give some random values). Choose your connection type and authentication mode and then give the APN. For example, for airtel india users it is airtelgprs.com. Check it with your service provider.

It's done. Now connect and enjoy.

Note: If you are using Airtel USB E/GPRS modem (Micromax MMX610U ), download the following patch and use the wvdial command: usb_mmx.patch.txt (1.2 KB- created by halfconscious from http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/ubuntu-help/114086-problem-airtel-data-card-usb-conf.html)

Tags: airtel, APN, betavine, data card, Debian, driver, GSM, Huawei, linux, mobile, Modem, ubuntu, USB, vodafone