try to configure your modem trough pcc.
I did that, as ramchu suggests, all I've got was "The system does not seem to be connected to the internet".
I've also tried kppp and gnome-ppp. Gave me "serial loopback detected", couldn't go any further.
Plus the ports kept changing between ttyUSB0 and ttyUSB2.
use pclinuxos full, instead of minime to see if you have better results...
I am now, but results are the same. So far
modprobe +
wvdial is still the champion.
congrats for your persistence... and for having a connection... albeit a weak one.
Thank you, but I couldn't make it without you guys

In my brief GNU/Linux experience, PCLinuxOS is the only GNU/Linux distribution which can properly detect my video card, an AMD Radeon HD 6570.
Other distributions gave me blank screen, command prompt at boot and garbled visuals so when this one can run without a problem with the visuals I was really happy and decided to use it.