Install / Enable HUAWEI E156G on Ubuntu
Filed under: Internet, Mobile, Sri Lanka, Tutorials, ubuntu
As mentioned in my previous post I bought Mobitel HSPA connection. When I bought the connection, I bought a new modem too (HUAWEI E156G).
Modem is working perfectly fine on Windows with Mobile Partner software but when it comes to Ubuntu it has problems.
My previous modem E220 had almost no issues on Ubuntu. As you connect your modem everything is done on plug-and-play basis, but when it comes to E156G it was not the same case. First I thought the USB Modem is not even recognized as a device, but Ubuntu did find it but didn’t bring up any pop-up as it does for E220.
Did a googling and found out the way. Hope it’ll be helpful as many people are buying Mobitel HSPA these days.
- First right click on the Network icon and choose Edit Connections
- Now choose Mobile BroadBand tab
- Click on Add button and choose Mobitel
- Once you done with the wizard click on Mobitel and choose edit
- there make sure you have *99# as Number and Mobitel3g as APN.
Click on the image to enlarge it
That’s all now you can connect to Internet using HUAWEI E156G. If you’re using a different provider then change the Number and APN accordingly.
iPhone in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankans are very unlucky fellows when it comes to iPhone. Apple has announced about a new version of their iPhone OS which will enable you to send MMS and it’ll also allow you to perform copy and paste functionality.
Meanwhile Apple has released a new model of iPhone (known as iPhone 3GS). This model got much more features such as built-in video camera etc.
You can buy iPhone with an operator contract for about $99 and iPhone 3Gs for $199. Unfortunately iPhone is not available in Sri Lanka and none of the operators are supporting it.
If you see someone with a iPhone, he is either using a iPhone like fake phone or illegally bought iPhone.
Sometime back Dialog came up with the iPhone deal and everyone was talking about it. Later they dropped the plan and the page also went missing from their site. If we can get one of our local operators to support iPhone we can get iPhone with a connection for about 11, 000 LKR, which is far way cheaper than all Nokia smart phones.
Hope to see iPhone in Sri Lankan market soon.
Facebook Update and Notification via SMS
Filed under: Entertainment, Internet, Mobile, News, Sri Lanka, Tutorials
I don’t know what’s going on, but Facebook officially giving SMS update for Sri Lankan mobiles along with UK, USA, Canada and Maldives.
To start the process log-in to Facebook and go to settings and then click on Mobile tab. Dialog has come up with a complete user guide for this process, therefore I’m not going to write about it.
Just after the mobile number confirmation you can choose your own SMS options in facebook such as what type of notifications to receive etc.
Unfortunately this service is only available on Dialog and Mobitel networks. Real sorry for Huth, Tigo, Airtel users. I’m not regretting that I’m still with Dialog 
Airtel limits the unlimited broadband with FUP
Airtel mobile broadband is stirring some interest among us and we have started to think of migrating from Dialog mobile broadband to Airtel Mobile broadband. Some people have gone one step ahead and unlocked HSPA modem which is locked by Dialog.
Today Indians are screaming that Airtel has introduced Fair user policy and they’ve cut down the speed by 50%. Oh Shit…! Yeah traitors!
Now most of the Airtel broadband users have to be careful at anytime Sri Lankan Airtel can also impose the same rule out in Sri Lanka. Applying Fair user policy and cutting the speed down. On top of all Airtel has come up with a document about FUP. 
I have decided to push back my plans of migrating to Airtel. We’ll wait and see what these Airtel people are up to.
Airtel HSPA – DATA Connection – FAQ
1. What is Airtel HSPA?
Airtel HSPA is using 3.5G technology to provide wireless broadband to your machine. Its very useful when you’re on a move.
2. Can I get one?
Yes. But make sure you’ve got 3.5G (HSPA) coverage in your area atleast 3G coverage in your area.
3. How much per month?
1500 LKR per month before tax, and you need to pay 500 LKR as activation fee. With dialog you need to pay around 2000LKR as deposit.
4. How much the USB modem / Dongle costs?
Modem costs 9,000LKR – 10,000 LKR. With dialog you can sign a 6 months contract and buy the same modem for just 5500LKR.
5. What about download limit and FUP?
No download limit in Airtel unlimited package and no fair user policy, therefore you can download as much as you want.
6. Better than Dialog?
mmm… that’s a million dollar question If Airtel can give wide coverage than Dialog then it’ll become a better choice. Also note that Airtel HSPA downlink is working at 800 Kbps even though promised speed is 3.8Mbps.
As far as I hear from my friends new Dialog customers also are getting the speed around 800Kbps.
7. Airtel HSPA is cheaper than Dialog HSPA?
It seems Airtel HSPA is cheaper because unlimited package of Airtel is 1500 while Dialog unlimited package with FUP and download limit is 3000 LKR. Now you decide 
8. Are you gonna change from Dialog to Airtel?
For the time being NO, because I have 6 months contract with Dialog and I’m getting around 2.0 Mbps speed with my Dialog HSPA connection.
If the Dialog continue to keep the Fair User Policy (FUP) and download limit then probably I’ll think of switching to Airtel HSPA
New question added as per request from readers
9. Can I use 3G mobile as my modem?
Yes, you can use 3G Mobile as your modem. You need to connect your mobile with your computer using data cable.
5 Reasons Why I’m still with Dialog
1) Wide coverage
I don’t think other than mobitel none of the network have got a competitive coverage in Sri Lanka. Even my home town Trincomalee and my native place Point-Pedro covered by Dialog (Recently Mobitel also expanded their coverage to Jaffna suburbs). Airtel got worse coverage. They don’t have coverage even in Trincomalee so no point of talking about Jaffna.
2) Still not sure about Airtel
Though Airtel come to the market with a big blow, I’m still thinking twice to switch my network as I’m brand addicted to Dialog (though I scold them like nothing) and not sure about the services Airtel offers. Its matter of time that is necessary to gain trust on “Airtel”
3) Value Added Services
Dialog call charges are competitive and offer value added services such as My 10, Lifetime discount which you can’t find in any other network including Airtel.
4) Changing Number
Aiyo, I hate changing numbers. Once you changed your number you have to inform your campus friends, club friends, office friends where you need to allocate a special budget for it. This is one of the reasons why I changed my KIT to Blaster than directly going for a new blaster package.
5) Most of the People still use Dialog
Since most of my friends are using Dialog connection, it’ll be cheap for me to make calls (I can make advantage of 1000 free mins). Once existing users start to switch network, I’ll seriously think of changing my network.
As of now these are the reasons why I’m still staying with Dialog. If I happen to write a post about why I hate dialog, I can write even more. He… he..
Airtel Launch on January 12 in Sri Lanka
At last, Bharathi Airtel has decided to launch their products in Sri Lanka. Today they’ve launched an aggressive advertising campaign in mass medias and electronic medias.
Today I saw bill boards of Airtel everywhere around Colombo. I’m glad finally Dialog got tough competition, and they’ll think of quality service. Followed by Airtel, RTEC is also entering Sri Lankan as a mobile operator.
The company on Monday announced its Lanka launch with ads in local newspapers. Ahead of Airtel’s entry, other operators have slashed tariff rates and are offering discounts with cellular connections.
Airtel is investing $200 million in the Sri Lankan operations and is replicating the outsourcing model in the island country. “It is an extension of the same business model. The company is leveraging its Indian partnerships,” said an analyst.
Airtel has outsoured IT operations to IBM while Huawei is rolling out networks. Bharti Telesoft, a part of the Bharti group, will offer value added services.
The company bagged license for Sri Lanka in early 2007 and hired Amali Nanayakkara as the CEO in October that year. She was earlier working with Unilever in Sri Lanka as Director Marketing in the Personal Care Division.
Airtel has hired largely local people for operations in Sri Lanka. Around 20 people from Airtel India are currently working there, looking after the launch.
AIRTEL STORES (Arcades)
1. Avissawella – 05,colombo road , Avissawella
2. Borella – 1189,maradhana Road, Botella
3. Chilaw – 02,Colombo road ,Chilaw
4. Colombo-3 – A5 super Market Bldg, Colombo-3
5. Colombo-11 – 212,Main Street ,Colombo-11
6. Dehiwella – 8/1 Galle road ,Dehiwella
7. Gampaha – 57 , Bauddhaloka Mw, Gampaha
8. Ja Ela – 180, Pushpawansa Building ,Colombo Road ,Ja Ela
9. Kaduwela – 455/2 New Kandy Road , Kaduwela
10. Kaluthara – 161, main Street , Kaluthara
11. Kandy – 127 Peradenya Road, Kandy
12. Karapitiya – 241 ,Labuduwa Road , Karapitiya
13. Kegalle – 199, main Street ,Kegalle
14. Kiribathgoda – 8/1 Kandy road, Kiribathgoda
15. Kurunegala – 44, Negombo road ,Kurunegala
16. Maharagama – 61,Highlevel road, Maharagama
17. Negombo – 41 De Cross Road ,Negombo
18. Panadura – 35, Horana Road ,Panadura
19. Puttalam – 39-B, Kuruneagala Road ,Puttalam
20. Rathnapura – 269,Main Street , Rathnapura
21. Wellawatte – 35, Galle Road, Wellawatte
PS: Still offical website reads “Comming Soon”
Dialog Slashes Prices Again
Dialog once again slashed the prices. This initiation is an expected one as Mobitel offers cheaper call rates and Indian mobile giant Airtel enters market.
Per-second billing is given to both prepaid KIT and to post paid packages. According to new rates post paid package users can enjoy 1000 minutes D2d free calls. Still incoming calls are not free for pre-paid customers. Don’t worry soon dialog has to offer free incoming calls feature or they’ll be sacked.
I hope Dialog will cut-down the charge for data surfing, and then only mobile broadband, mobile browsing etc will be cost efficient for us.
I wonder what tiego and Hutch do these days??? Is anyone still using these operators??
Unlimited Dialog Mobile Broadband
Long awaited unlimited HSPA broadband is offered by dialog. Interesting stuff in this initiation is HSPA dongle for 6000 SLR. If you are to buy one, then you need to spend around 18,000 SLR – 20,000 SLR.
Though it is said unlimited download, there is a Fair User Policy which may affect you. Fair user policy limits your download speed with your download volume. Basically, if you’re a freak downloading each and everything from net, then your download will affect other user’s downloading experience in the network.
Torrent lovers will have hard time with this package, but normal users can get maximum out of it. Currently SLT ADSL has no Fair user policy attached to it, so we can download any amount of software, games, and movies from torrent sites and file sharing sites. Read more
Send Free SMS to Mobitel (Lanka)
Image via Wikipedia
Update: 17 Aug 2009. This method is no longer working for mobitel
You may wonder how these people send free SMS to mobitel. It’s not a wonder or a magic. There are some companies offering email to SMS service. In Sri Lanka only Mobitel is offering this service.
What you need to do is simply send a mail to phoneNumber@sms.mobitel.lk. For example, if you wanna send a SMS to 071-5373891 then simply send a mail to 94715373891@sms.mobitel.lk!
If you know PHP or ASP or Perl then you can use this concept to create a widget that can send SMS to user.
You can get phone number as an input and then if you can generate an email as I described above then you have created the widget. I have already created a widget to send free SMS using PHP. If you need the source code simply drop me a mail at mayu3g AT Gmail DOT com.
Unfortunately other operators such as Dialog, Hutch doesn’t offer such service!!! If you need to send them mail then you need to buy a SMS gateway, which is very expensive.
For Indian Friends
| 1. Andhra Pradesh | Airtel | 9849 | 919849012345@airtelap.com |
| 2. Andhra Pradesh | Idea Cellular | 9848 | 9848012345@ideacellular.net |
| 3. Chennai | Skycell / Airtel | 9840 | 919840012345@airtelchennai.com |
| 4. Chennai | RPG Cellular | 9841 | 9841012345@rpgmail.net |
| 5. Delhi | Airtel | 9810 | ???Not Working |
| 6. Delhi | Hutch | 9811 | 9811012345@delhi.hutch.co.in |
| 7. Gujarat | Idea | 9824 | 9824012345@ideacellular.net |
| 8. Gujarat | Airtel | 9898 | ???Not Working |
| 9. Gujarat | Celforce / Fascel | 9825 | 9825012345@celforce.com |
| 10. Goa | Airtel | 9890 | ???Not Working |
| 11. Goa | BPL Mobile | 9823 | 9823012345@bplmobile.com |
| 12. Goa | Idea Cellular | 9822 | 9822012345@ideacellular.net |
| 13. Haryana | Airtel | 9896 | ???Not Working |
| 14. Haryana | Escotel | 9812 | 9812012345@escotelmobile.com |
| 15. Himachal Pradesh | Airtel | 9816 | ???Not Working |
| 16. Karnataka | Airtel | 9845 | ???Not Working |
| 17. Kerala | Airtel | 9895 | 9895012345@airtelkerala.com |
| 18. Kerala | Escotel | 9847 | 9847012345@escotelmobile.com |
| 19. Kerala | BPL Mobile | 9846 | 9846012345@bplmobile.com |
| 20. Kolkata | Airtel | 9831 | 919831012345@airtelkol.com |
| 21. Madhya Pradesh | Airtel | 9893 | ???Not Working |
| 22. Maharashtra | Airtel | 9890 | ???Not Working |
| 23. Maharashtra | BPL Mobile | 9823 | 9823012345@bplmobile.com |
| 24. Maharashtra | Idea Cellular | 9822 | 9822012345@ideacellular.net |
| 25. Mumbai | Airtel | 9892 | ???Not Working |
| 26. Mumbai | BPL Mobile | 9821 | 9821012345@bplmobile.com |
| 27. Punjab | Airtel | 9815 | ???Not Working |
| 28. Pondicherry | BPL Mobile | 9843 | 9843012345@bplmobile.com |
| 29. Tamil Nadu | Airtel | 9894 | 919894012345@airteltn.com |
| 30. Tamil Nadu | BPL Mobile | 9843 | 9843012345@bplmobile.com |
| 31. Tamil Nadu | Aircel | 9842 | 9842012345@airsms.com |
| 32. Uttar Pradesh (West) | Escotel | 9837 | 9837012345@escotelmobile.com |
| 33. Uttar Pradesh (West) | Airtel | ?? | ??? |
| 34. Chennai | Hutch | 9884 | 9884012345@south.hutch.co.in |
| 35. Andhra Pradesh | Hutch | 9885 | 9885012345@south.hutch.co.in |
| 36. Karnataka | Hutch | 9886 | 9886012345@south.hutch.co.in |
| 37. Karnataka | Airtel | phonenumber@airtelkk.com |
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