NetworkManager doesn't work properly with Virtual Mobile Operators

[Filiprino]

I'm using a 3G WWAN modem, Huawei E270 which uses the "Option" kernel module. The problem is that while I'm connected I can't identify the network the modem is connected to because the name of the connection profile is shown instead. That's a problem when I go out on vacation because I'm on the frontier of my country and at any time the modem can hook up to an international network without notifying me and without being able to check which network I'm connected to.
As there's no SMS support on NetworkManager I can't read SMS notifying me that I'm on an international network, or that I've reached my limit of international traffic (affecting my national plan too).
So, using my 3G connection I feel like a blind person going out to the street without any help (stick, dog - SMS, network information).
Instead of showing the name of the profile used, NM should display the operator network name, something that actually can do. I've attached an screenshot showing that NM applet can display the operator's network name. It should also notify with a notify-osd alert whenever it changes the network which it's connected to.
There should be SMS arrival notifications too, and being able to read the messages.
Finally, there should be the option to connect only to your national operator network. Of course you can deal with your mobile Internet provider, but then you have to call for support every time you want or not international roaming. It's better being able to select which network operator you want to connect to, national or an allowed international one if there's more than one to choose from, just like a phone.

[Filiprino (filiprino)]

I've added a mockup of how NM applet should behave in order to have the user well informed.

I'd like to add that I'm on a Mobile virtual network operator http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_mobile_operator so that even I'm connected with my national operator, NM applet shows information as if I'm on roaming. NM applet should be able to note wether you are on national roaming or international roaming. Due to that, the option for disabling roaming is useless if it can't let you fine tune the networks you want to use. Sometimes you want to use other international networks different from the default one.

Being able to know to what network are you connected is very important. It's like in Wi-Fi, I would not accept NM applet to show only the name of a profile and let it change between wireless networks at his own will.

[loke (developer-loke)]

I am facing a similar problem on Ubuntu 10.04 LTS. I have just moved into an area where I only have access to a Roaming network. The device has been able to connect to the network without any reconfiguration using the OS X default PPP dialer. Using the provided software for the device I am able to see that it is connecting to a Roaming network on OS X.

When I connect the device to my Linux machine, and click the particular connection in Connection Manager, my modem loses track of the Roaming network, as is visible from disappearance of consistent blinking blue light, and appearance of a double blinking green light, which means the device is trying to find the network. There is no dialog to set up the connection where I could enable or disable Roaming, and looks like the system does not support connecting to Roaming networks.

[Antti Nilakari (andyn)]

Apparently NM does not support so-called virtual mobile operators (MVNOs), or if it does the support is not comprehensive enough. The support for MVNOs has to be built into the software layers. This is a known defect that also affects many Android devices, mainly those that are not supplied by the virtual operators themselves.

For example, see the ZIP file available at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1211850. There are much more extensive lists out there, for example built into the Cyanogenmod ROM.

[Filiprino (filiprino)]

I own an Android mobile phone that isn't provided by my operator and it works fine. It's an international Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-i9100).
It differentiates perfectly from national roaming and international roaming. Maybe looking at the ROM source code of the phone would prove to be helpful.