dstiles - 10:52 pm on Aug 14, 2011 (gmt 0)

ALRIGHT!

Poking partially at random, changing things to what I thought they should be after reading a few more web sites (this time with brain engaged!)...

In Network Connections --> Mobile Broadband select the new modem (3 Internet 1) (install a new one if not already done).

On the IPv4 Settings tab:
Automatic (PPP)
Connect Automatically: (tick)
Available to all users: (your choice - I ticked it)
Routes: (none)

Mobile Broadband tab:
Number: *99# (that's star 99 hash)
Username: three
password: three
APN: 3internet (remember this is three.co.uk network)
Network: (empty)
PIN: 0000

PPP Settings tab:
Configure Methods: EAP and PAP (only)
Point to point encryption: (not ticked)
Allow BSD: (ticked)
Allow Deflate: (ticked)
Use TCP header: (ticked)
Echo: (not ticked)

When I saved that lot - Bingo!

The only real changes I made from previous attempts were:
*99# (previously tried 99# and before that the product Identifier 074...)
Removed all Methods except EAP and PAP (previosly only removed CHAP).

For interest, from Connection Info:
Interface: GSM (ttyUSB0) - (that's zero not o)
Hardware Address: (nothing)
Driver: option1
Speed: unknown (dongle is showing blue so lower range - cyan is higher)
Security: unknown
IP Address: 94.196.nnn.nnn
Broadcast address: (same as IP)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.255
Primary DNS: 217.171.nnn.n
Secondary DNS: (same as primary)

Network rDNS shows as Hutchison H3G UK (in my case 94.196/15)

For some of the testing I had my Etho0 LAN cable plugged in and connected to the internet. Both Etho0 and 3Internet1 showed connected (no idea at this point which would actually do the work).

When I disconnected Mobile in Network Connections the dongle's light went back to flashing blue (3 network detected but not connected).