Orange Romania, 3G, and Linux

This post describes how I got the Business Everywhere, Option 3G/EDGE package from Orange Romania working on Linux, which unfortunately is not officially supported. These days I found a higher kind of fun than configuring things so I won't make a habit of such posts. I make an exception now, however, because this information may save someone's time and because in the process of figuring things out I had to give AT commands to a modem, which reminded me of the old days when I was a kid and only started to use a PC.

To be more precise I talk about Ubuntu Linux. In general, your mileage may vary and you may need to adapt these instructions, but they will at least give you a starting point.

Here is what you need to do.

sudo apt-get install pppd wvdial
sudo vim /etc/ppp/orange
 #debug 
 nodetach
 connect "/usr/bin/wvdial --chat --config /etc/wvdial.conf"
 /dev/noz0 
 460800 
 noauth
 noccp 
 novj 
 usepeerdns
 defaultroute
sudo vim /etc/wvdial.conf
 [Dialer Defaults]
 Modem = /dev/noz0
 Baud = 460800
 Init1 = ATZ
 Init2 = ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2
 Init3 = AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet"
 Dial Command = ATD
 Idle Seconds = 3000
 Username = dummy
 Password = dummy
 Phone = *99#

To connect to the Internet you say pppd call orange. You type C-c to hung up.

The above tells pppd that authentication is not needed (noauth), disables some stuff that does not seem to be supported by Orange (noccp, novj), sets up the phone number (*99#), and the access point (internet). If you have problems it might help to uncomment the debug line and see what goes wrong.

If the SIM is protected you may need to unlock it first. Both minicom and kermit can be used to send AT commands to the modem. Here is how to send a SMS (and how to unlock the SIM if not already unlocked).

rg@rg-laptop:~/blog$ kermit
C-Kermit 8.0.211, 10 Apr 2004, for Linux
 Copyright (C) 1985, 2004,
  Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York.
Type ? or HELP for help.
(/home/rg/blog/) C-Kermit>set line /dev/noz0
(/home/rg/blog/) C-Kermit>c
Connecting to /dev/noz0, speed 115200
 Escape character: Ctrl-\ (ASCII 28, FS): enabled
Type the escape character followed by C to get back,
or followed by ? to see other options.
----------------------------------------------------
at+cpin="0000"
OK
at+cpms="SM"
+CPMS: 0,50,0,50,0,50

OK
at+cmgf=1
OK
at+cmgs="PHONE NUMBER"
> MESSAGE
> <TYPE C-z TO END THE MESSAGE>

+CMGS: 10

OK

(Back at localhost)
----------------------------------------------------
(/home/rg/blog/) C-Kermit>q
 A serial connection might still be active on /dev/noz0.

OK to exit? y
Closing /dev/noz0...OK

Very similar settings are used to get Zapp (Romania) working on Linux. Zapp provides Linux support on their webpage.