It’s an interesting move, and hints at a couple of new strategic directions the company may be headed. The most obvious purpose for the new app and card is the prospect of creating mobile virtual networks that could tie Windows mobile devices together in a way that has never been done before.
The fact that no contracts will be required, at least as things stand now, means that Microsoft will have to develop its own network of service providers. Given the size of the company, it’s
probable that if this is the route they choose to go, they’ll be able to negotiate excellent rates, and thus, keep monthly costs low.This is a bold, new direction for Microsoft, which has been making a number of exciting and innovative moves lately, not the least of which has been their decision to give away copies of Windows 10 in order to speed the growth of its market share. Combining that move with the sudden appearance of “The Cellular Data App,” and we can clearly see the company positioning itself to enter the wireless data market in a big way. The implications are both staggering and exciting. We’ll have to wait and see exactly how it unfolds, because Microsoft is playing close to the vest on this one, but early indications are that this is going to be a very good thing. Microsoft announced that you “need a PC that’s running Windows 10 that also has a cellular modem, a compatible Microsoft SIM card, and the Paid Wi-Fi & Cellular app installed.”