just did the same thing! returned 2 store & cancelled serv til they get it
right. worked good with xp. after several hrs on hold & then getting cut off, i
came close. think u must deal with vz business dept. where ru located? try
8009376000 or 8665715158 x711. keep in touck, i am VERY interested in this
problem.

Unfortunately, most service departments aren't much help when it comes to
anything other then M$ Windows. I called AT&T to get help with my DSL a while
back and they were no help. Either was Acer when I called them a couple of weeks
ago.
I googled about your problem for a while last night because I thought about
doing the cellular modem thing and didn't get anywhere neither. As with most of
these problems, it is better to do the research before you buy products.
samat.org/.../20070127-high-speed-cellular-wireless-modems-in-ubuntu-l\
inux-6-10.html
This is an article on the subject. He used a PCM-CIA card.They are usually a bit
smarter then the USB counterparts.