Over the years, the support in
Windows for different network types and networking technologies has of
course evolved. And in Windows 8, finally, Microsoft is explicitly
supporting the 3G and 4G/LTE cellular data networks that are now
becoming ubiquitous.
Understanding Cellular Data Networks
3G refers
to the third-generation cellular data networks that are now considered
the baseline—that is, the slowest—for such networks.
4G,
confusingly, refers broadly to a range of cellular network types,
including pseudo-4G data networks such as HSPA (high-speed packet
access) and HSPA+ that are really based on the older 3G standard.
LTE, or
long-term evolution, is, for now at least, the “true” standard for 4G
cellular data connectivity and offers the best performance of these
network types.
Prior to this release, you could connect to such
networks using third-party software, which was generally acquired from
the wireless carrier or device maker that provided the connectivity,
perhaps through a USB-based add-on peripheral or internal SIM card
interface in a laptop or other device.
NOTE A SIM
(subscriber identity module) card is a small integrated circuit on a
plastic card that is used to authenticate your device, and thus you,
the wireless subscriber, to the cellular data network. These cards are
used in smartphones, tablets, and modern PCs, and while they come in
various sizes, they are functionally identical.
But now, in Windows 8, this capability is just
built-in. And that integration into the OS isn’t just a convenience. In
addition to providing the functionality that used to require
third-party software installation, the built-in cellular data
connectivity that’s available in Windows 8 is also more intelligent. It
will use your Wi-Fi or other network connectivity whenever possible,
switching off of cellular as frequently as possible in order to save
you money. That’s because cellular data is notoriously expensive and
almost always metered, with a set monthly or per-use allotment of data.
Put simply, Windows 8 treats cellular data just
like your smartphone does, neatly bridging the connectivity gap between
those small and highly portable devices and the monolithic PCs of the
past.
Choosing a Cellular Data Connection
To use a cellular data connection with
the integrated Windows 8 capabilities, or what Microsoft calls mobile
broadband, you must have a Windows PC or device that includes a
built-in SIM port. If you don’t have such a thing, you utilize external
methods for connecting to the Internet via a cellular data connection.
Some of the more obvious choices include the following:
- Portable wireless router: Many
wireless carriers sell tiny wireless routers that access their data
networks and then broadcast a Wi-Fi network that you can use with
multiple devices and PCs. From the perspective of Windows 8, connecting
to such a device is no different from connecting to any Wi-Fi wireless
network. A typical device, such as the Novatel MiFi, is resold by a
number of wireless carriers and shown in Figure 2
- Smartphone or tablet Internet sharing: Smartphones
and tablets are generally available with built-in SIM cards and
cellular data connectivity of their own, and some can share that
connection over Wi-Fi with other devices and PCs, much like a wireless
router. This process is sometimes called Internet tethering, because
sharing a smartphone’s Internet connection in particular can lead to a
quick loss of battery life. So it’s advisable to connect, or tether,
the phone to your PC via a USB cable to keep it charged. Windows 8
interacts with these networks as it does with any Wi-Fi type wireless
network.
Figure 2: A portable wireless router can connect multiple PCs and devices to a cellular data network.
- USB dongle: Many
wireless carriers also provide small USB devices that plug into a PC
(or Windows-based device with a USB port), providing cellular
connectivity directly to that PC. These devices typically come with
their own software stack, so that they work with all modern versions of
Windows, and if you use such a device, it’s likely that you’ll need to
install this software before you can get online. In such cases, usage
will vary, since the provided utilities will vary from device to
device. A typical cellular data dongle is shown in Figure 3.
If you’ve purchased a modern Windows 8 PC or
device, especially a portable computer such as a laptop, Ultrabook,
tablet, or hybrid PC, chances are good that it came with at least a SIM
module, which would allow you to later add a SIM card and associated
data plan from your wireless carrier of choice and use that
connectivity to access the Internet on the go.
The placement and accessibility of this SIM port
will vary from machine to machine. They’re generally well-hidden, hard
to access, and only need to be fiddled with once (if at all): when you
install the SIM card the first time.
Availability and cost of cellular data will also
vary by wireless carrier, so you’ll want to consider your needs—that
is, whether you’ll typically use the connectivity from the same basic
location (home, work, the local coffee shop) or while traveling. That’s
because cellular data coverage varies from place to place, and while
certain carriers offer great coverage in one area, they may offer
terrible coverage elsewhere, if at all.
You’ll also need to consider your data needs,
planning, and shopping accordingly. Some wireless carriers offer
pay-as-you-go plans, while others require you to sign up for 2 years
and pay a standard monthly fee for a set amount of data (with
additional payments made for overages). We happen to use AT&T
Wireless in the United States at the time of this writing, and this
company offers the following pay-as-you-go data plans for Windows-based
PCs and tablets with a built-in LTE-based SIM card.
Prepaid plans with an auto-renew option and anytime termination:
250 MB monthly pass $15
3 GB monthly pass $30
5 GB monthly pass $50
These plans expire when you have used all the
data in your plan or your time expires, whichever occurs first. Any
“leftover” never carries forward to the next time period, sorry. But
AT&T also happens to offer international data add-ons for world
travelers, another option to consider. However, this is just an
example; you’ll want to shop around.
Determining how much data you need can
be difficult. Fortunately, with a pay-as-you-go plan, you can adjust
over time until you settle on the plan that makes the most sense for
you.
