Turns out what must be done is run the Linux install script thet comes on the device . It first shows and optical storage device which gives a directory that contains the install script .
Run that and it then is recognised at each plug in and the storage device disappears after 10 seconds or so and the modem operates normally thereafter.
See screenshot for the files on the device
To see more try this thread found by jafadmin
http://www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswit ... f=3&t=1970
The K4203 is a Windows8 certified dongle operating under the mbim protocol which was introduced in linux 3.8, it works with mbim without need for being mode switched.
It does also have a Win7 compatible mode where it appears as a cdc_ether device, it needs a switch message to enter that mode and it will switch to either the 12d1:157a id or the 12d1:1590 id.
try:
sudo usb_modeswitch -v 12d1 -p 1f1c -W -I -M 55534243123456780000000000000011062000000101000100000000000000
and check with lsusb afterwards that it got a new id.