For those interested, 9.04 seems to be able to automatically detect some of these 3g modems.
Specifically, I have the Sierra Compass 597, with Sprint. It was activated on my laptop with my previous os (Windows) and now in 9.04 appears to be wholly plug and play. I didn't even need to disable my wifi in my laptop to start using the air card.
For those interested, 9.04 seems to be able to automatically detect some of these 3g modems.
Specifically, I have the Sierra Compass 597, with Sprint. It was activated on my laptop with my previous os (Windows) and now in 9.04 appears to be wholly plug and play. I didn't even need to disable my wifi in my laptop to start using the air card.