Philippines Smart cell provider usb modem questons. (solved)

[efc321]

Trying long distance tech support.  I am in USA and trying to help sister in law in the Philippines with a Smart cell phone data usb modem. What models work with PCLinuxOS?  Installing PCLinuxOS might just save the day.  She bought a model that is for different M$ operating system than is on her laptop.   They wont take it back. So has any one had any success with PCLinuxOS and Smart cell phone usb modem?  Yes I finally need to post to ask a question I can not find by searching and I hope this is the right place to ask this question.

[Just17]

You might post the make and model number of the device in question.

[bicol_willem]

Guessing a little bit. You mean a Smart USB "dongle"?
A USB modem in fact?
If so you´re worries are over as it is very easy to connect.
Let me know if I guessed it right and I tell you how.....

[efc321]

bicol_willem Yes you are correct.  I am waiting on the model number at this time.  Some times it takes them a while to be able to get to internet cafe.  Thanks for the help.

[bicol_willem]

bicol_willem Yes you are correct.  I am waiting on the model number at this time.  Some times it takes them a while to be able to get to internet cafe.  Thanks for the help.

No need to wait for any model number. The Smart modems are supported. Made sure you connect it with a USB port. Ignore any popup and close these in case.
Go to Contol Center - Network and Internet - Set up new network interface - choose GPRS/EDGE/3G and click next .... Your modem will show. Click next again. Forget about the pin and click next again... Choose Philippines from the long list presented there and pick Smart from the providers given there. . All details are auto detected (userpoint name, login name, password) just clicjk next again. There is connection control, pick your choice.... Click next again and here is asked : Do you want the start the connection now?
Next and ... POOF, there ya go!
NOTE: The above ONLY when there is actually Smart coverage 

[efc321]

Thanks.  Should be no problem in metro Manilla for coverage. Although in Samar it may be different.    Very good explanation.  As always the best tech support is here.   No mater were you may travel PCLinuxOS Is their.   

[bicol_willem]

Thanks.  Should be no problem in metro Manilla for coverage. Although in Samar it may be different.    Very good explanation.  As always the best tech support is here.   No mater were you may travel PCLinuxOS Is their.   

Ya, coverage .... There is most of the time at least one provider active in any area (Smart, Globe, Sun). What you can do is ask a phone repair shop to "unlock" your modem. Simm cards are cheap and so you can always pick the provider at hand by switching the simm card 
This works OK with prepaid services.

To detect signal you might use umtsmon, you find it in the repo's Synaptic (setup your modem there is a other story but also easy to do IF you know, LOL). In case you need it that way let me know.