Hi All:

I have a Asus EEE 2G PC netbook. It is running the Linux it came with it (I think a stripped down Ubantu Linux.)

I can access the Internet using WiFi on it. However, I'm a very mobile professional, and not everywhere you can get WiFi.

How can you connect to the Internet using the Internet services provided by major US Cell phone carriers such as SprintPCS or Verizon. They offer for Microsoft/Apple based systems either

a) An USB "Internet Stick" as a dedicated service (you buy a monthly only data connectivity plan

b) A blackberry connection (You use your Blackberry as a means to connect to the cell phone providers data service and the Blackberry acts like a modem (but it is not) to transfer the data to the USB.

but they don't have drivers for Linux.

Is there a solution for these Cell phone providers for my system?

I have some "basic" UNIX/Linux knowledge, and I can navigate the file system. (I once sold UNIX systems but never was an package installer, or developer).

Is there a solution to enable this system to access the Internet while say on an Interstate highway using a cell phone provider.
Please state clearly if this release of Linux on the system is too underpowered to do this.

What if any products and drivers are out there for this system to do this?


Both SprintPCS and Verizon offer bundled service contracts, of data and voice. But I'm not really interested in getting a Blackberry to do the connectivity because I have my Asus, and it can give me a full access on a much larger screen and keyboard. I currently have a plain and limited cell phone with another carrier. I'm not interested in buying expensive long term contracts to fund a Blackberry to just get the Internet access.

Thanks in advance

USB "Mobile phone network" dongles ( a Huawei 169G IIRC ) worked fine on my eee 701 4G.
Also, see here: http://wiki.eeeuser.com/
amd here: http://forum.eeeuser.com/
for eee-specific advice, HOWTOs etc.