As many laptops nowadays, the Dell's D820 we are currently certifying at Mandriva includes an HSDPA card. French models use a Novatel Merlin EU740 PCI Express card.

See a nice review of HSDPA on D820.

gcom allows to enter the PIN code for this card, but then it fails to detect the current network, while it works fine using AT+COPS? in minicom. Maybe I can use gcom with custom scripts and adequate delays. gsmctl (from gsmlib) fails to manage this card.

Once the device is reachable through serial port devices, the only important configuration is the APN (Access Point Name), see a list of known APNs. Then, it will integrate nicely with the new network configuration tool we have in project.

Some articles about 3G/GPRS cards:

• Vodafone 3G (UMTS) Howto
• GlobeTrotter (GPRS) Howto
• Linux and the Vodafone Mobile Connect (UMTS) 3G/GPRS Datacard
• Debian Linux and Orange Mobile Office Card 3G
• Utilisation de la carte Orange 3G Novatel sous Linux (French)

Some interesting articles about EVDO (Evolution-Data Optimized) cards:

• Using the Verizon Wireless AirPrime 5220 1xEV-DO Card With Linux
• Get broadband wireless with Verizon EVDO and Linux
• Using Verizon Wireless EVDO, PC5740, and Linux

Though, I haven't found in these articles how to easily enter the PIN code for the SIM card. These cards are probably unlocked by default, since they're meant to reside in the laptop. Anyway, it should be available through standard AT commands,