I have a problem with connecting to the internet using my Samba75 GPRS/EDGE modem. Am running fedora 7

Relaese notes from the manufacturer say you connect through wvdial. Here is a copy of text in my /etc/wvdial.conf

[Dialer Defaults]
Modem = /dev/ttyACM0
Modem Name = SAMBA75
Modem Type = USB Modem
Baud = 230400
ISDN = false
Idle Seconds = 180
Init1 = AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP",safaricom
Init2 = AT+CGATT=1
Password = data
Phone = *99***1#
Username = saf
Dial Command = ATD

After connecting the modem and dmesg, the modem is detected with all drivers installed.
I then run wvdial --config /etc/wvdial.conf and get the following error:

[root@codeGuru ~]# wvdial --config /etc/wvdial.conf

--> WvDial: Internet dialer version 1.54.0

--> Cannot get information for serial port.

--> Initializing modem.

--> Sending: AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP",safaricom
AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP",safaricom

ERROR

--> Bad init string.

--> Cannot get information for serial port.

--> Initializing modem.

--> Sending: AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP",safaricom
AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP",safaricom

ERROR

--> Bad init string.

--> Cannot get information for serial port.

--> Initializing modem.

--> Sending: AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP",safaricom
AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP",safaricom

ERROR

--> Bad init string.


I can't figure out how the bad init string is coming since my provider's APN is safaricom. The 'cannot get informmation for serial port' is another quagmire.
The modem works fine on windows vista but i need it on fedora since thats where i work most.