Mobile Broadband for 2.3 Tablet

[Standardroadhouse]

Please help. I am new to this Android game and would appreciate any help I could get. I have searched the forum to see if there is a response that will help and cannot find anything but if I am repeating a previous thread I apologise. I bought an Android 2.3 tablet off the net (Dinodirect Chinese special). Basically wanted to use as an ebook reader, couch internet surfer as well as an internet surfer when travelling to overseas later this year (via a USB broadband modem with local SIM card). Checked the Net and it seemed like it could be done so have now got a Virgin E153 USB modem on prepaid plan and am trying to hook it up to the tablet (proof of concept before taking it overseas). Got the APN details off the forum but when I try enter a new APN for Virgin I get to MCC details and all the APN details disappear. The modem is hooking up (flashing blue light every 3 seconds) but when it searches for networks (manually or automatic) it just hangs. When I insert the modem it seems to recognise it as a USB drive and not a communications device. Maybe I was wrong and this can’t be done but I don’t want to give up yet. So if anyone can assist it would be greatly appreciated.