3G on the Asus Eee using an LG KU250 (Updated)
The LG KU250 is touted as the “3G for all” phone, being the cheapest 3G-enabled phone around. It usually retails for just over $100 (bought mine for about $142).
In my country 3G / GPRS rates are not really cheap, but one of the operators–Smart–offers unlimited connectivity for PhP 10 per 30 minutes. That’s approximately 48 cents per hour. That’s using a prepaid SIM card that costs less than a dollar to purchase.
That’s cheap enough for backup connectivity, i.e., when there’s no WiFi hotspot around, or when your home DSL or cable connection is down.
There is one other option–a Huawei 220 3G modem. Smart also offers a postpaid plan, which includes this device, for PhP 799 per month, plus an initial PhP 2,000 for the modem (about $20 per month, plus $48 initial for the modem). This is for 60 hours of connectivity. You pay an added PhP 10 per 30mins in excess, which is same as the prepaid rate.
However, I already bought myself an LG KU250 for this purpose a few months back, and I didn’t want to spend unnecessarily. Also, my 3G connectivity only serves as backup, and when I’m mobile. So no point in paying for a plan I might not be able to consume.
I wracked my brains trying to figure out how to connect the KU250 to the Eee via bluetooth. But that seems to be complicated on the default Xandros installation that comes with the Eee. BT is easy enough on Ubuntu, but not on Xandros, since various essential Bluez utilities are not pre-installed and/or incompatible and/or difficult to set up.
So I tried another option–connecting the KU250 with the supplied data cable. Following the instructions on this Eeeuser forum page, I was able to successfully connect over a 3G connection. Actually, I attempted this after I saw that Xandros detected the KU250 as a modem under Control Center. I was a bit surprised that this worked.
Step by Step
Basically, the steps are:
1. Add debian repositories to your APT sources list. Edit /etc/apt/sources.list and add these lines below the default repositories:
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ stable main non-free contrib
deb http://non-us.debian.org/debian-non-US/ stable/non-US main contrib non-free
Note that you can use any text editor you prefer. I like using the built-in kwrite, so I just run:
sudo kwrite /etc/apt/sources.list
Change the command accordingly.
Then run:
sudo apt-get update
2. Install wvdial. Run this command:
sudo apt-get install wvdial
You can then remove the above-mentioned repositories from your sources.list file, to be sure that no other applications that can mess up your system would be installed. After you remove these, again run:
sudo apt-get update
3. Set up wvdial. Run this:
sudo wvdialconf
Your system will then create a wvdial.conf file. Then you would have to edit /etc/wvdial.conf using your favorite text editor. It should appear as follows:
[Dialer Defaults]
Init1 = ATZ
Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0
Init3 = AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”internet”
Modem Type = USB Modem
ISDN = 0
Phone = *99#
New PPPD = yes
Modem = /dev/ttyACM0
Username = yourusername
Password = yourpassword
Baud = 460800
Idle Seconds = 3000
Auto DNS = 1
Stupid Mode = 1
Compuserve = 0
Baud = 460800
Dial Command = ATD
Ask Password = 0
FlowControl = NOFLOW
Be sure to change the username and password fields, if applicable. Smart willl just disregard these, so no need to edit. Smart’s access point (APN) is “internet”. Change this accordingly, depending on the APN of your service provider.
Also, replace /dev/ttyACM0 with the actual path to your phone, which can be found under the modem properties in Control Center.
4. To connect, run wvdial. Connect your phone to the Eee via USB and then run wvdial as superuser:
sudo wvdial
Your console should display a few lines saying that PPP is connected, or something to that effect. If a connection cannot be made, you will be brought back to the command line. If connected, you can disconnect by pressing Ctrl-C on the terminal session where the PPP connection is running.
This should also theoretically work for GPRS connections, and perhaps with other phones as well.
Update - The GUI Way
Wilson Co has pointed me to this post on Eeeuser that basically details how you can cheat your Eee into using a “dialup” account as a 3G connection. Note that Xandros will auto-detect the KU250 as a dialup modem and not a 3G / HSDPA modem. Basically, you just have to:
1. Create a dialup profile using your 3G phone as the dialup modem. Usually the KU250 or other 3G- or GPRS-enabled phones won’t appear under the 3G/HSDPA modem list, even when plugged in. They will be detected as dialup modems, though.
2. Edit /etc/ppp/peers/dialup1 such that the last few lines appear as follows:
modem
/dev/ttyACM0
460800
3. Edit /etc/chatscripts/dialup1 such that it looks like this:
ABORT VOICE
ABORT BUSY
ABORT "NO CARRIER"
ABORT "NO DIALTONE"
ABORT "NO DIAL TONE"
TIMEOUT 120
"" ATZ
OK ATV1E0
OK AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet"
OK ATD*99#
CONNECT \c
And then try to connect using that particular dialup profile. This is essentially the GUI way of doing the above-mentioned steps, but this time without having to dialup using wvdial, nor installing that tool itself.
Update: A few settings changes
I’ve received information that some are not able to connect via Smart GPRS or 3G lately. I experienced this, too, about a month ago. To fix this, you basically need to edit your phone settings such that you would no longer have to pass through Smart’s proxy servers.
To test this, try browsing using the phone’s internal browser (or Opera Mini, if you have it). If you can connect through the phone, but not via your Asus Eee, then the problem probably lies elsewhere. If you cannot connect from both the Asus Eee and directly on the phone, then this might help.
To fix:
- Go to Menu — Settings — Network — Streaming.
- Under use proxy, select no.
- Save your settings.
Test your connection on the phone first. If it works, then it’s probably fixed now. You can test on the Asus Eee. If you still cannot connect from your phone, then maybe it’s your account that’s the problem. Try calling your service provider.
Comments
41 Responses to “3G on the Asus Eee using an LG KU250 (Updated)”
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we are planning of getting one as well. would you know if ASUS E PC can have a successful 3G with SE-K608i or other 3G phones?
We can test your phone if it works okay with the Eee. Does it come with data cable? It’s a bit difficult to work Bluetooth on the Eee, unless Xandros/Asus comes out with an update.
Sir thank you very much for having this site. I too have an Asus Eee PC and a LG KU250. I would like to try using my cp as a modem. Hope you can help.
hi I tried connecting my nokia n95 to the eee pc using your instructions but it was only detected as a dial up modem. How do i make the device recognizable AS A GSM/ 3G ?I have limited computer knowledge. I am also from the philippines and if you can contact me directly I would deeply appreciate it.
Thanks
renan
[...] complicada, pero nada del otro mundo. Sólo hay que seguir estos pasos que encontré en la página MyAsusEee. Básicamente lo que haremos será instalar el Wvdial y arrancar la conexión desde [...]
Connecting via Nokia 3G phones is easier, though you still need to find a Wifi hotspot to run console and get the full desktop. The instruction are pretty much the same, but I need not install wvdial, though I still need to edit some files:
http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=2109
Wilson, thanks for the link. Easier to use it that way, methinks.
Danny, try following the “updated” instructions. Maybe that will prove to be easier.
Thank’s for detail, i use LG KU250 and Ubuntu Server and work
You guys are lifesavers!
I’ve had my LGKU250 for about two months now, and I’ve never been able to use it as a USB modem on my Windows machine. No matter whose advice I follow, I always get that “TE CONNECTION FAILED” crap.
I bought my Asus EEE a few days back. I’ve been considering switching to windows because I can’t seem to make my LGKU250 work with Xandros. That was until I bumped into this post.
I’m using my Smart 3G connection (first time ever without using the phone client) to post this comment now, and I owe it to you guys. Actually, although I was able to successfully install and configure wvdial, nothing happened when I opened firefox. I tried the GUI approach, and it worked dang fine. Thanks Mr. Co!
this works using nokia 6120 + asus eee. thanks….
Hi guys, please be lifesavers once more
I own a EEE for 3 days and an ETEN Glofiish M700 for 3 months. The M700 works as a charm on windows. However, when plugged to EEE nor ttyACM0 nor ttyUSBx appear on dev list. It appears as if the linux is not recognizing the device at all. Any suggestions?
Many-many thanks!
Hi Alexandrescu,
The M700 is running Windows Mobile 5, right?
Have you tried searching for devices via Control Center?
I am trying to do your tips on connecting my cellphone as a modem to my eee pc. My problem starts in saving the /etc/ppp/peers/dialup1 file after editing. My second problem is how to open the file /etc/chatscripts/dialup1 which is in a protected directory (chatscripts). I would appreciate it very much if you or anybody in this forum ccan help. Thanks.
i have a question, does one have to have a smart subscription? Or can we access this wireless feature even as a prepaid user?
Danny, be sure to edit them using superuser mode. Either you precede each command with “sudo” (without quotes) or you open a root terminal session (run sudo bash).
Chuckie, this applies to prepaid also.
Thanks Admin. I can now connect to the internet using my LG KU250 as a modem because of this site. I used the “Update - The GUI Way” method. Funny thing is that I cannot do this on my XP desktop. Thanks again and more power.
I tried the GUI way using Nokia n73, It connects right away, but the speed was so slow, Its like dial up or worst. But I will try again later.
Andre, it depends on your phone’s signal. If it says GPRS or just “G” then most likely you’re connected at 33.6 Kbps, which is the max for GPRS. If it says 3G, then you’re most likely connected at about 384 Kbps. Try browsing http://www.speedtest.net to see your actual speed.
do i need to be connected to the internet when doing the steps?
i suppose.
[...] [Read more My Asus Eee PC.] [...]
Great tutorial! By the way, SmartBro Plugit does not use the Huawei 220 3G modem. It’s another Chinese OEM brand. A lot of people seem to make that mistake (the Huawei modem has rounded edges).
hi! i have got n80.apparently, nokia pc suite seems not to be compatible with linux.can you help setting up connection via n80 modem please?
I got connected using Nokia e51, Fast connection average at 1300 kbps (speedtest.net) using Smart. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to Jangelo & Wilson Co.
[...] 3G connection on Asus Eee Pc using Nokia 6120 is just as simple as the previous settings for LG and Sony Ericsson. Most specially if you follow the GUI Way. The only difference: since I already [...]
Maraming maraming maraming salamat talaga. I really need a back-up connection when my broadband is offline. At the same time, I also need mobile connectivity since I’m also a problogger like you. I’ve already set aside money for an Eee and an LG KU250. Ang problema ko na lang is how to use the 3G connectivity on the Eee. This is a lifesaver. I think I’ll go buy an Eee in the next few days.
I have LG KU250 and Debian GNU/Linux. I used following guide to get the GPRS connection working: http://www.spiration.co.uk/post/1307
I just changed GPRS APN to whats in the phones configuration (see from LG KU250 settings/network) and then configured phones bluetooth address and channel (8) to rfcomm.conf
[...] wvdial [...]
I just bought a KU250 unit and planned to connect it to my eee but i had problems with using the GUI method. It just won’t finish creating the dial-up setup. When I click the finish button it doesn’t do anything, it’s like an html page without a submit command. As for the wvdial, i’m getting an error on the repositories listed above.
Is there a tendency that the Xandros OS that I have is defective or I need to be an admin to create another connection?
[...] stick to my prepaid plan, considering I’ve already bought myself an LG KU250 to serve as a 3G modem. The KU250 is affordable enough at PhP 6,000. That’s cheap for a 3G-enabled phone (cheap on [...]
i am overwhelmed with these instructions but i want to get the LG phone and connect it with my asus eee. is there a service center where i can get this done?
i know how to open up the terminal and add applications but im not sure about the editor thing. Hope someone can help me
thanks for this website!
[...] And how you’re gonna do it? Just follow the steps found in myasuseee.com. [...]
Nice, thanks for sharing
This really is a life saver
Hi! Was able to try it on my Ubuntu Feisty. Dialing works but i cant seem to connect to the gateway.. what gives?
[...] and searching for that I can do with this ultra portable PC. I read a tutorial on the My ASUS Eee PC about using a 3G phone as a modem to connect to wireless broadband. I decided to give this idea a [...]
Thanks for the help! It worked on my p990i.
i’m using eee 4g converted to windows xp. i plan to get a prepaid smart bro modem for my eee. has anyone tried it? is it better than just buying a 3g phone?
thanks
hi sirs, i was trying to perform the steps on the “GUI way” but found that no DIALUP1 file was seen on the /etc/ppp/peers directory> Files seen are cdma_chat, cdma, dsl-provider, gsm, gsm_chat , and provider.
Hpe you can help me…
[...] over the 3G connection of Globe telecom by following the instructions from the Globe website and this tutorial. Just a warning though, the default settings from Globe don’t work for prepaid users straight [...]
thanks for the tip.. got it to run on my knoppix using wvdial. i’m using globe telecom which sucks btw coz i can’t access my mail via pop/imap or even access my clients cpanel.
[...] My Asus Eee PC › 3G on the Asus Eee using an LG KU250 (Updated) [...]