Thanks,

I guess it is more to do with ubuntu than the n900 - I tried with my Nokia 6300 (O2, not Orange), and that was exactly the same. I guess in normal use it won't be an issue - It'll either be plugged or not, just I tend to make sure I disconnect from the OS when not needing the mobile broadband.

I found that the settings I hunted down online for Orange, as well as those that were picked up automatically, were different from those on the n900 settings for the SIM. Changed this, and the performance has improved. Not much to choose between the n900 and the 6300 though, TBH.

I think I need to try and figure out some relevant DNS addresses and stick them in somewhere, although that should become available automacally when the connection is made. It has speeded things up on my home boradband connections in the past. I could try it out on XP on the netbook, see what happens there - but I'm not inclined to...

Mish.