I have updated my system with Smart, and then followed some instructions from Jasons.org
HOWTO: Verizon UM175 USB EVDO Card under Ubuntu Hardy | In Other Words on how to setup NetworkManager to work with this modem. It is working with one little quirk. After I close out of a session it freezes NetworkManager for 30 or more minutes. I can’t re-login or get any response from NM at all. Then after some long period of time it just starts working again. Yast will still not configure this device, nor will KPPP as listed above. Possibly a conflict somewhere? A setting needed to be changed? Any thoughts?
still could really use some help.