Mac and UMTS

Ralf · Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:06 am *Mac and UMTS*

Here's a question for the stubby-fingered computer geeks. I've recently bought a Mac (OS 10.5), but having trouble with my Vodafone UMTS modem (Huawei E220). Vodafone offers support for PC, but unfortunately not for Mac.

Here's the problem. They offer a "pearl script" on this site, but I know more about fly-fishing on mars than computer scripts and the like.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Molly · Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:38 am *Mac and UMTS*

I suggest you go hang with the geeks:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/index.php?

Jamie (K) · Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:23 am *Mac and UMTS*

Ralf · Wed Apr 09, 2008 0:21 am *Mac and UMTS*

Well, I'm using Vodafone's software to connect to the internet via a UMTS modem. The problem with this UMTS USB system is that vodafone does not seem to grant full connection speed to UMTS users, which results in pixelish jpg and gif images. You need to click on the image and then hold shift+R to reload them properly (which is a bit of a pain). Vodafone offers a so called HighPerformance Client for Windows XP and Vista to speed up download rates, but there is no Mac equivalent. I called customer Service several times, but they have no clue either. The most annoying thing is that pictures you upload turn out to be blurry as well. My facebook life looks a mess Confused

Problem is the tariff I use doesn't allow me switching to a different system, so I'll have to find a solution...
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Jamie (K) · Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:02 am *Mac and UMTS*

From what I've found in searches, Vodafone DOES offer Mac drivers for that modem.

Take a look at what I've found:
http://www.business.vodafone.com/site/bus/public/enuk/support/10_productsupport/laptop_connectivity/40_software/software/10_latest/p_mac.jsp

Here is an explanatory article:
http://the.taoofmac.com/space/Huawei/E220

And here are the generic Huawei drivers for Macs:
http://www.huawei.com/mobileweb/en/doc/list.do?type=-1&id=736

Let me know if any of this helps. There's always some kind of solution.

Jamie (K) · Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:31 am *Mac and UMTS*

Ralf, keep in mind that many companies that do support the Mac platform for some reason don't train their support people to support the Mac platform.

I have occasionally been told by tech support people at various hardware companies or services that their products don't work with Macs, only to find out myself that the company really does design its products for Mac compatibility. It happened to me with a printer once. Another example is Logitec webcams. The box says they require Windows, but I'm using one on a Mac just fine.

Sometimes I've been in contact with support people from various companies (a stock brokerage firm, for example) who have been trained only in Windows, so I just tell them to give me the Windows instructions and I "translate" them to the Mac system in my head.

Ralf · Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:39 am *Mac and UMTS*

Hi Jamie,

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I had already tried those sites after googling the results, but the drivers wouldn't solve the problem. It seems it's all down to Vodafone offering only limited coverage for UMTS users who haven't installed their "HighPerformance Client" (which is only available for PC). I've complained about their limited support for Mac users, and they offered me a new deal for broadband. Until they hook me up to it, I'll have to make do with this miserable connection. From Friday to Sunday it was so bad I couldn't even check my emails.

But thanks anyway, appreciate!
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Stew.t. · Wed Apr 16, 2008 22:43 pm *Mac and UMTS*

Hi Ralf

Not sure if it will completely resolve your problems, but try installing the "waterroof" system through www.hanynet.com.

It gives you more control over your connection than those built into your mac, and you do not need to go hang with the geeks to get a gist of it ; )

Have you tried www.macrumors.com for advice? it has some useful stuff for non mac minded folk.
Also try the discussions forum on the apple site itself.

cheers stew.t.
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