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Sprint and BestBuy have teamed up to sell the Compaq Mini Netbook for 99¢ if you sign a two year service contract.  BestBuy plans to sell the same computer for $199.99 if you purchase a two year contract from AT&T or Verizon.

Netbooks are becoming a hot business for carriers that are looking to get consumers using their wireless data services. The wireless operators are taking a page out of their old playbooks by subsidizing the devices to spur adoption.

But it’s unclear so far if the plan will work. Already consumers are being asked to pay more per month for regular cell phone service. And the expensive data plans could deter some consumers who do the math and realize they don’t actually need to be spending over a $1,000 for one of these mini-laptops when these devices and laptops can be used for a very low cost or even free when using Wi-Fi hot spots.

Click here for the story from c|net news.