Usb Broadband Modems Not Working With Mint 8 or Ubuntu 9.10

I Started using Linux months ago and for 4 months not had one problem using Linux Mint 7 for months and loved it. No Problems no error unlike windows.

so Heres the problem I wiped the laptop and upgraded to Linux Mint 8 and my 02 Wireless Modem would not work at all. it icon where you click to connect kept connecting and disconnecting and re connecting it just kept doin that. so I went tryed the Ubuntu 9.10 and the same thing happened.

I know that Mint is based on Ubuntu but should this problem happen with the latest releases of ubuntu and Mint. Why is it happening ?

some people in Ireland can not get broadband and have to use the usb modems with 02 meteor and vodafone.