How to display UMTS signal strength?

Using a random UMTS USB stick (Huwei 160 or something like this) works an current Ubuntu pretty much out of the box and the setup via network manager (nm-applet) is convenient.

But it does not display the current signal strength or modes of operation (which speed-mode is used etc.).

What are useful tools to display/monitor such information?

From ubuntu maxschlepzig

• This screenlet works for me- WirelessScreenlet

  You need to install screenlets first from the software center.

  maxschlepzig : Hm, does it really supports UMTS? This page does not mention UMTS.
  From ssj6akshat

• There is nothing much that I am aware of that does this. I have written my own scripts that monitor the second usb serial connection and query for signal strength.

  Send a AT+CSQ and you will receive:

  +CSQ: n

  n is in the range 1 - 31, to convert this to dBm subtract 111

  This is detailed in the GSM / 3GPP spec http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/specs/html-info/27007.htm

  maxschlepzig : Ok, this is a start. What is the most convenient way to send such control sequences from a script?
  From Stuart