A wireless communication device is built from a base module and a plurality of front-end modules. Each of the plurality of front-end modules is configured to operate a different one of a plurality of radio frequency services and having a front-end module connector configured to removeably mate with a base module connector of the base module. A particular front-end module is connected to the base module. Upon connection of said particular front-end module to the base module connector, the base module reads information from a memory of said particular front-end module to determine the radio service that the particular front-end module is configured to operate and to supply the control signals to configure and control front-end circuitry of the front-end module to operate the radio service.