I'm trying to get linux Mandrake 10.1 to connect to the internet, Using the Control Center failed, even though it recognised the Alecetel USB modem. I then attempted to install the correct drivers myself, they installed fine and i got them configured right and then this happens when i run speedtouch-start:

Modem hangup
Connection terminated.
using channel 1892
Using interface ppp0
Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/pts/3
sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x7f <asyncmap 0x0> <magic 0x4df82b61>]
Script pppoa3 -vpi 0 -vci 38 finished (pid 9728), status = 0xff
Modem hangup
Connection terminated.
Couldn't get channel number: Input/output error
Couldn't get channel number: Input/output error
Couldn't get channel number: Input/output error
using channel 1893
Using interface ppp0
Connect: ppp0 <--> /dev/pts/3
sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x80 <asyncmap 0x0> <magic 0xa890cbb6>]
Script pppoa3 -vpi 0 -vci 38 finished (pid 9746), status = 0xff
Script pppoa3 -vpi 0 -vci 38 finished (pid 9747), status = 0xff
Script pppoa3 -vpi 0 -vci 38 finished (pid 9748), status = 0xff
Script pppoa3 -vpi 0 -vci 38 finished (pid 9749), status = 0xff
Modem hangup
Connection terminated.

This happens over and over again, (channel 1,2,3...1893 and would continue)

Can anyone help.

I had exactly the same problem, and despite the advice here and on the Net, I ended up going back to my ISP and exchanging the Alcatel with a SpeedStream and blowing about $20 on an ethernet card.

That was back on Mandrake 9.1, and I was hoping that the issue would be resolved by Mandrake 10.