How to Use an AT&T Ericsson F3507g Card on Ubuntu Intrepid

As could probably have been guessed by things like this, I’ve been more than a bit frustrated by my continuing inability to get the on board WWAN card in my new X301 – an Ericsson F3507g – working under Ubuntu. When I initially reviewed the machine, and later commented on the Ubuntu Intrepid compatibility, the Ericsson was one of the few pieces of hardware I couldn’t get to work. Which was unfortunate, as that has occasionally left me at the mercy of brutally inefficient and expensive hotel wireless.

Well, all of that is over as of yesterday. Using some instructions from the invaluable Thinkwiki.org, I not only got the card running, but was able to successfully connect to the AT&T network. Which is, frankly, awesome.

Anyway, here’s how I did it. Before I continue, though, please note that all credit for these scripts belongs with the Thinkwiki.org user Willsowerbutts. I’m just repackaging his excellent work for the benefit of fellow Ubuntu users and AT&T customers. The advantage of his approach, as well, is that it not only handles connectivity but the powering off of the card, which is something of a power hog.

Enjoy.

1. sudo apt-get install ppp wvdial sysfsutils
2. sudo nano /etc/sysfs.conf
   
   Paste the following:
   
   block/sda/queue/scheduler = noop
devices/platform/thinkpad_acpi/bluetooth_enable = 0
devices/platform/thinkpad_acpi/wwan_enable = 0
class/leds/tpacpi::power/brightness = 0
3. sudo nano /etc/pm/sleep.d/sysfsutils
   
   Paste the following:
   
   #!/bin/bash
case $1 in
(hibernate|suspend)
;;
(thaw|resume)
/etc/init.d/sysfsutils start
;;
*) echo "somebody is calling me totally wrong."
;;
esac
   

4. sudo nano /etc/wvdial.conf

   Note that the “ISP.CINGULAR” portion is unique to the AT&T network; Willsowerbutts’ scripts have the proper APN strings for Tmobile and Vodafone. Anyway, paste the following:
   
   [Dialer 3G]
Modem = /dev/ttyACM0
Init1 = AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","ISP.CINGULAR"
Stupid mode = 1
phone= *99#
Username = *
Password = *

5. sudo nano /etc/ppp/peers/wvdial
   
   Paste the following:
   
   noauth
name wvdial
usepeerdns
noccp
novj
novjccomp
   

6. sudo nano /usr/local/bin/3g-dialup
   
   Paste the following:
   
   #!/bin/sh

   WWANDEVICE=/dev/ttyACM2

   ## Check we have appropriate permissions
if [ `whoami` != "root" ]; then
echo Run this script as root
exit 0
fi

   ## Enable the WWAN hardware
echo -n "Powering up WWAN device .."
echo 1 > /sys/devices/platform/thinkpad_acpi/wwan_enable
while [ ! -c $WWANDEVICE ]; do sleep 0.5; echo -n "."; done
echo " OK"

   echo -n "Initialising WWAN modem ..."
/usr/sbin/chat -v "" "AT+CFUN=1" "+PACSP0" "AT" "OK" > $WWANDEVICE < $WWANDEVICE
echo " OK"

   echo "Starting PPP -- hit Ctrl+C when finished"
/usr/bin/wvdial 3G

   echo -n "Shutting down WWAN modem ..."
/usr/sbin/chat -v "" "AT+CFUN=4" "OK" > $WWANDEVICE < $WWANDEVICE
echo " OK"

   ## Disable the WWAN hardware, save power
echo -n "Powering down WWAN device .."
echo 0 > /sys/devices/platform/thinkpad_acpi/wwan_enable
while [ -c $WWANDEVICE ]; do sleep 0.5; echo -n "."; done
echo " OK"

7. sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/3g-dialup