Re: [tlug] How to use eMobile Huawei USB dongles (with Asashi net)

[Ian Barwick <barwick@example.com>]

2009/7/10 John Fremlin <john@example.com>
>
> Here's how I use an eMobile USB 3G modem with Ubuntu, just in case this
> might be of interest to the list. It starts up pppd with udev as soon as
> the dongle is plugged in.
>
> Thanks to Bruce for recommending the Asahi net system, which uses the
> eMobile 3G network but Asahi net IPs. It's been reliable and doesn't
> have a vicious contract period. Note that the eMobile 3G network is a
> bit sketchy even in central Tokyo (e.g., around Ikebukuro) and, in my
> limited experience, rather hopeless anywhere outside Tokyo not
> qualifying as a decent city.

Thanks for this info, very timely as I'm looking into some sort of mobile
dialup (especially since my favourite open Wifi connections all seem to have
evaporated ;) ) and have AsahiNet at home anyway.

A couple of questions if I may be so bold:

* The contract period is 12 months, right?
(according to the pricing details as
https://asahi-net.jp/service/mobile/shin_chouwari_service.html ;
there's no info on the English pages at all as far as I can see).

* Within Tokyo, how is service in general? E.g. if I plonk myself in a
random Starbucks,
McDonalds etc. am I likely to be able to get a decent connection?

* How well does it work inside buildings?

* What kind of speed do you get? I am basically looking for "fast
enough for basic web
surfing" and "stable enough for SSH sessions", with the option of
downloading the odd
couple of dozen megabytes of source files should I need them.

Further info from AsahiNet:

* description of the USB dongle
https://asahi-net.jp/service/mobile/chouwari_dataterminal.html

* service area (including buildings / stations with signal availability)
https://asahi-net.jp/service/mobile/chouwari_area.html#place

* pricing overview
https://asahi-net.jp/service/mobile/shin_chouwari.html?tb=lcwmob0906a

Many thanks

Ian Barwick