The modems could be quite interesting as they are connected via PCIe which can eat a lot of bandwidth.
But they are very difficult (to almost impossible) to find if there isn't anything left in the firmware blob or device driver.
Why would they? It's perfectly legal to operate radio transmitters on any frequency you like, if you hold a suitable licence.
But right now, I've got an ESP32 WROOM module on a dev board sitting in my windowsill reporting some sensor values over wifi.
The WROOM itself is registered with the FCC[1]. If I stick to using the documented operation, then I have permission to use it in those documented ways. As a practical concept, I don't need a unique license to use it in the way that I am; I'm granted the ability to use it by Part 15 of the FCC rules.
And that's pretty great: The hardware was inexpensive to buy and very easy to find. I was able to spin this sensor up very quickly and get moving on the software side that deals with those readings. It has been a very rewarding little project with a fantastic cost:benefit ratio.
The fear being expressed here (which I don't necessarily subscribe to) is that things like this WROOM module will become less-available when/if methods to use it in undocumented ways are published and start becoming used.
We treat RF like your lot treat Mexican fireworks.