Most of the users has faced the problem to configure BSNL 3G data card (linktop -lw232) with any linux distro. Officially data card support Ubuntu 9.10 and higher versions. It come up with set up of program call as Join Air. But I was not able to configure my Ubuntu laptop using this setup. Even not with Linux Mint & OpenSuse. After searching for days on google, I came across one program call sakis3g. This script make my life easier and now I can access internet on my OpenSuse laptop using BSNL 3g. Not only OpenSuse this work for Ubuntu also. I have tested the same program on Ubuntu 9.10.
Here is the method which you can use to connect BSNL 3G.
Prerequisite
Please download following files from internet:
- sakis3g – Url : http://www.sakis3g.org/
- Usb-modswitch
- If you are OpenSuse 11.3 user then you can download from here : http://fr2.rpmfind.net/linux/rpm2html/search.php?query=usb_modeswitch
- If you are Ubuntu user then you can download from here :
- Usb-modswitch-data
- If you are OpenSuse 11.3 user then you can download from here :
- If you are Ubuntu user then you can download from here :
http://fr2.rpmfind.net/linux/rpm2html/search.php?query=usb_modeswitch_dat
http://packages.ubuntu.com/search?arch=i386&keywords=usb-modeswitch
Process
After getting above packages, install them in following order:
- Usb-modswitch
- Usb-modswitch-data
Sakis3g come in a compress file so first extract it in your home directory. This zip file have one executable file sakis3g, just copy that file to your home directory.
In case of OpenSuse 11.3 open “Terminal Super User Mode” .
In case of Ubuntu open Terminal and enter following command
>sudo
Both these method ask for password. So enter your password here. In case you have given different password for super user then enter that password.
Now go to your home directory by entering command cd /home/vk. Here vk is my username.
Now enter following command
>./sakis3g
You may get following screen.
Select option Connect with 3G and press Ok button. You may get following screen where you have to select USB device and press Ok button.
Here select HSPA WCDMA Technologies MSM and press Ok button.
Here it shows APN. Select bsnlnet as APN and press Ok button.
Here it ask for username and password. You can enter any value in this fields. I have given “1” as username. Once you press Ok button, it ask for password, again give “1” and press Ok button.
If it succeed to established connection then it will show following screen.
Now if you don’t want to go to the Terminal each time then this tool provide you the facility to create desktop shortcut. Just select the option and it will do the rest of the thing for you. Next time whenever you click on shortcut, it will ask for your linux user password.
Enjoy BSNL 3G on your favorite linux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Linux Lover's Blog 
Your information is partially useful.
I tried to use it for the recently procured modem, which BSNL claimed it supports Linux.
I use OpenSuse 11.3, which has pre-installed usb_modeswith modules (two modules).
I have purchased BSNL 3G prepaid card (Teracom LW272 USB modem).
This appears on “My Computer” window, when plugged in.
When I use sakis3g, the system asks me to select HSPAD data card,
then it asks me root pwd,
the next is: it asks to select interface#1, #3 or #5.
After that it asks me to select cdc-acm kernel module OR optional kernel module OR other driver.
When I select either of the first two options, the system loads driver and moves to 15% progress after which it gives following error message:
Module “option” loaded but refused to bind to device “230d:0001”.
Unable to load driver “option” for device “230d:0001”
Failed to connect.
At this point I select Exit option and disconnect.
Can you tell what could be the problem.
Appreciate your response.
On Windows 7 partition, this modem works fine.
Rgds,
Raviindra
Please try to execute the sakis3g from Super User Terminal & apply whole procedure once again!
If it not work in that way then try to install new usb_modeswitch module. Pre installed may miss driver for BSNL Card. Because I have installed new usb_modeswitch!
Hello Vivek,
Thanks.
I went to a site which has usb_modeswitch ver 1.1.7, from one of the links, you had provided. (Do not re-collect which one I used to go there)
The page is titled:USB_ModeSwitch – Handling Mode-Switching USB Devices on Linux:
Site address is: http://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/
I downloaded the two files: usb-modeswitch-1.1.7.tar.bz2
AND usb-modeswitch-data-20110227.tar.bz2
Extracted the contents to desktop in respective folders.
Installed GCC development tools from: Yast > Software Management
As a super user I performed ‘make install’.
That seems to have worked.
Now I can see GSM connection active in my KDE Network Manager.
If you wish, you can propagate this method, which worked for me.
Rgds,
Ravindra
Thanks… Its really very useful information..
Virthi Communications
Reliance 3g data card in chennai, madurai, Trichy.