[Dr Some-what Evil]

Ive seen other posts where someone has taken apart the external USB modem and found a mini-PCI-e card inside connected to or wired to a USB port. What I am wondering is if anybody has done this for the cricket modem? If not then possibly some brave soul with some cash to spare might find a used one somewhere to tear open, discover whats inside and post pictures for the forum. Personally I would rather have it internal rather than external and chance on it ruining a USB port if the notebook fell or was dropped. This happened with my desktop and a dog I still own stepped on a USB extension cord that was plugged into a front port. I ended up having to disconnect the front ports from the motherboard and find a new one. With a laptop it can be a little more costly to repair.

So there ya go, the idea and the reason why.

[Lostone]

Why use cricket? It costs about the same for the others, and it is easier to find cards.

I wondered what was inside those cards also.

[Dr Some-what Evil]

Originally Posted by Lostone

Why use cricket? It costs about the same for the others, and it is easier to find cards.

I wondered what was inside those cards also.

Just basic curiosity and if it does indeed have the mini PCIe card inside, it would make it that much easier for me to get mobile internet without a contract. Most or all the other mobile internet providers here ask for a 1-2 year contract. What if I completely hate the service after the first week or so? with cricket, i can just not make the next payment and be done with it.

[Lostone]

Originally Posted by Dr Some-what Evil

Just basic curiosity and if it does indeed have the mini PCIe card inside, it would make it that much easier for me to get mobile internet without a contract. Most or all the other mobile internet providers here ask for a 1-2 year contract. What if I completely hate the service after the first week or so? with cricket, i can just not make the next payment and be done with it.

I got ATT without a contract you have to ask or better demand one. Make sure you tell them you are supplying your own equipment. Another point don't make changes in your plan or they will mess it up!

[Dr Some-what Evil]

How did you manage that? Is it a "pay as you go" plan? What are your data rates on upload and download...limits per month?

I talked to a cricket representative today and told him of my plan to open the case of the modem. He seemed shocked for some odd reason until I explained that it might fit inside my notebook IF it had a mini PCIe card inside. He then tells me they are out of stock and will be until next week. Sounded like a very weak excuse to me, anyway I left and will just go to another store or start looking on-line for used ones.

[Lostone]

I got the 35 dollar blackberry personal data plan. I told the sales person I was interested in a plan but would not sign anymore contracts. She said the minimum contract was six months but that she would waive this for me. I said thanks and ordered. I had to supply my own equipment in order to get a contract free plan also, and she waived the activation fee.

Of course I called back and sure enough they tried to make me pay an activation fee and then they tried to make me take at least a one year contract. I said no way and cancel my service. The rep went to talk to the supervisor and they waived my fee and my contract.

It depends on who you talk to. The more folks that start refusing contracts the better off everyone will be. It is kinda like DRM.

At one time it was easy to get a plan without a contract but things have changed for the worse.

Whatever.

[Dr Some-what Evil]

I'll still be checking around for a used Cricked modem. Even if I don't get the actual service it would still be cool to see whats inside it. Its wide enough to have a mini PCIe card inside, maybe even half height considering the lights on the other end that indicate power and signal strength.

[mostlyharmless22]

I read somewhere that you could buy a prepaid AT&T phone and add wireless internet to it for the monthly add-on price, something like $20 with no contract. It may not have been 3G though. You might google something like "cheap wireless internet."

[Dr Some-what Evil]

Never thought of that. Perhaps after I get the WWAN parts installed and buy a AT&T compatible internal modem, I can have 3G access. Might be limited but at least I'll have it.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Lostone]

Originally Posted by mostlyharmless22

I read somewhere that you could buy a prepaid AT&T phone and add wireless internet to it for the monthly add-on price, something like $20 with no contract. It may not have been 3G though. You might google something like "cheap wireless internet."

att stopped this plan last month.

It was a very good deal. Can't have customers getting a good deal.

Whatever.