About Dell XPS built-in mobile broadband card

Hi,
I'm thinking of buying a Dell XPS M1210 notebook.
But I'm not quite sure of how the built-in mobile broadband card works...
I have doubts whether it is locked into a specific carrier forever?
For example, If I choose Cingular initially, does that mean I cannot switch to another provider ever after?
Is it unlike the external express cards which I can remove and replace or does it work in some way to support switchover to different providers?
Also I may be traveling to India for 6 months..
Can I subscribe to a mobile broadband provider in India with the same built-in card?
Does the built-in card become obsolete outside of U.S?
Please clarify....

 

I have also been eyeing the M1210 with the built-in 5500 Cingular HSDPA card.

There doesn't seem to be much info online regarding if this card is locked or not, but from what I can gather, this card is identical to the 5505 Vodafone card, and both are UNLOCKED, so they can be used on any HSDPA network, on any of the three HSDPA bands across the world.

by the way, GSM in India is CHEAP; you can get prepaid cards for roughly Rs 500 ($12) or so. Your best bet is Hutch or AirTel; I have no problems using either of those networks. just make sure that you have a few spare passport photos available, as you will need one to purchase a prepaid SIM card.

 

I have a Vodaphone 5505 cardand it is unlocked. If you are buying a M1210, you need to make sure that you go for the one with A/V communication package ( webcam and wireless antennae for 5500 as extras) oterwise you will find your M1210 and 5500 short of two antenna cables.