mobile broadband 5720 evdo rev-a error 9999 when using dell mobile broadband card utility (dmbcu)

had this error on a work computer today, everything was up to date, reinstalled the latest drivers, no dice

after digging around i found the fix on the dell support forums here -
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/p/18789079/18912065.aspx

here's the fix -

So, to check for this situation, do this:
1. Launch Internet Explorer
2. Using IE's menus, Select Tools->Manage Add-ons->Enable or Disable Add-ons
3. In the 'Show' drop-down listbox, Select 'Add-ons that run without requiring permission'
4. If any of the MeadCo Zeepe Add-ons are disabled, Enable THEM!
5. Exit IE
6. Restart IE and check that the configuration stayed.

Try DMBCU!