Windows 11 is getting AI-powered 5G connectivity — Microsoft and Ericsson have teamed up to improve 5G, and it’s coming to Surface Copilot+ PCs first

Fewer headaches for IT teams and more reliable 5G experiences for end users are heading our way.

Windows laptops with 5G connectivity probably don’t get talked about enough for how convenient they can be in the hands of the right user. Where they excel most is in a professional enterprise environment that requires constant connectivity, and that’s exactly what a new partnership between Microsoft and Ericsson aims to improve.

The fresh initiative is set to integrate Ericsson’s 5G capabilities straight into Windows 11. More specifically, it’s a combination of Microsoft’s Intune — a cloud-based device management platform for IT teams — and Ericsson’s Enterprise 5G Connect platform.

What would some Windows news be without AI in 2026? Ericsson’s 5G management platform is indeed driven by AI, designed to monitor the quality of your network while making automatic changes to improve performance and security.

One of the major hurdles traditionally standing in the way of broad 5G laptop adoption in enterprise settings is the setup and management process for IT teams. Ericsson says that its AI-based platform will be able to handle most of the drudgery with automated device connections, seamless switching between communications service provider (CSP) networks, and implementation of a company’s own enterprise policies on each device.

Through Microsoft Intune and Ericsson Enterprise 5G Connect, IT teams can automatically enforce secure connectivity profiles and enterprise policies across every 5G-connected device, minimizing manual setup while ensuring consistent, compliant user experiences everywhere employees work.

Ericsson adds that new features include automatic eSIM switching, remote network policy management, and an overall improvement to performance and reliability.

The Microsoft-Ericsson announcement comes after several pilot programs were tested out in different markets. The companies plan to begin releasing enterprise 5G bundles with Microsoft 365, Intune, and Ericsson Enterprise 5G Connect, all in collaboration with CSPs.

In terms of hardware, the initial bundles will feature Surface Copilot+ PCs like the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11, two devices we count among the best Windows laptops in 2026.

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At the time of the announcement, Ericsson says the new joint solution is available in the US with T-Mobile, in Sweden with Telenor, in Singapore with Singtel, and in Japan with SoftBank. More markets are expected to follow in 2026; Spain’s MasOrange, Germany’s O2, and Finland’s Elisa are mentioned.

Ericsson brass has high hopes for this initiative, with CTO Erik Ekudden proclaiming that “this joint solution has the potential to transform enterprise IT and employee ways of working around the world.”

We’d like to hear your thoughts

Are you happy to see 5G connectivity getting more attention in Windows laptops, regardless of its ties to enterprise markets? Let me know in the comments section!

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TOPICS 5g

Cale HuntSocial Links NavigationContributor

Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than nine years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.

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