Connecting USB 3G Modem to Safaricom in Linux Mint

This particular modem is a ZTE HSUPA MF637U modem. Click on images to see enlarged view. Let's get started:

1. OS is Linux Mint version 15. Yours may be older or newer.
2. Plug in the modem to a free USB port and check that it recognises the modem as a drive in the File Manager whose icon is shown below third from left and the File Manager view is also shown with the modem listed as the "MODEM-SDSK" drive:

Fig. 1. Linux Mint Desktop Panel

Fig 2. Linux Mint File Manager view showing listed drives at left and Application Manu at top. Click on image to see enlarged view.















3. Go to the Applications Menu shown in Fig. 2 and select Settings>Network Connections

Fig. 3. Network Connections dialogue. Click on image to see enlarged view.










4.  Select Add > Mobile Broadband then click  "Create"
5. Follow the wizard to select the device, country, billing plan, service provider and deafult settings.

Fig. 4. Safaricom default settings in Linux Mint. Click on image to see enlarged view.

It is important to have ready the correct settings for comparison purposes. In the case of Safaricom, the default in Linux Mint is show below and works without modification. In my case I modified the field name "Type" to indicate that I prefer 3G connections where possible. In some localities you may only get EDGE despite what Safricom says about "3G everywhere".