Not sure on getting it to work on linux BUT..

If you have Bell Sympatico Internet and are in the Ontario or Quebec area and your modem is the Alcatel usb (Blueish Stingray looking)
Call them up tell them you got an alcatel USB modem and its given you nothing but troubles and you want a newer version with 'USB and ethernet' (the key there is saying you want one with both connections)
... they will send you out a newer version Speedstream modem 5242 or 5200 series with built in PPPoE so its just like broadband with rogers...