Microsoft is partnering with Transatel to provide cellular data services for Windows 10 PCs and tablets, but not phones. It will launch in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, but could be rolled out to other regions over time. This will not be a contract service. Everything will be pre-paid, with short-term plans (think “XGB for the next 30 days for Y upfront”) available for a discount before a trip or something.
One downside is that compatible PCs will require a SIM card slot, which a Microsoft-branded SIM card will be inserted into. The write-up at Thurrott.com doesn't discuss external adapters, like the USB cellular modems that carriers offer and were popular until tethering became mainstream. A few unlocked LTE, USB modems can be found online, which you'd think would be compatible, but I'm not up on many of the details. I'm not a mobile enthusiast.
Despite the source being a Microsoft corporate VP, speaking on the record, it has not been officially announced by the company yet. Details, like when it will be available, have not been released.
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Is there a reason why a SIM
Is there a reason why a SIM card couldn’t be incorporated into a MicroSD card slot or into a tiny USB dongle? It seems really dumb to limit it to some sort of specific hardwired slot on the chassis. Why hasn’t this happened? 🙁
Anytime a company try to put
Anytime a company try to put an “artificial time limit” (for the next 30 days) on something they are selling, I look elsewhere.