Microsoft and Ericsson Bring Enterprise-Grade 5G Notebook Management Features to Windows 11

Recently, Ericsson announced a major joint development project with Microsoft in the enterprise mobility sector, integrating advanced 5G capabilities directly into Windows 11. This transformative achievement means that global businesses and their employees will benefit from secure, policy-driven laptop connections, simplifying IT departments’ management, protection, and expansion of mobile PC devices.

This joint solution combines Microsoft Intune device management with Ericsson Enterprise 5G Connect (formerly Ericsson Virtual Cellular Network—EVCN), a platform powered by AI and cloud analytics that continuously monitors network quality and automatically adjusts connections for optimal performance and security.

AI-based 5G management embedded into Windows 11 enables IT teams to automate device connection methods, seamlessly switch between carrier networks (CSPs), and adapt to various internal policies.

Through Microsoft Intune and Ericsson Enterprise 5G Connect, IT teams can automatically deploy secure connection profiles and enterprise policies on every 5G-connected device, reducing manual setup while ensuring employees have a consistent and compliant user experience anywhere they work.

This automation eliminates longstanding challenges in adopting cellular network-connected laptops—reducing manual configuration and providing a consistent user experience across different locations and service providers. These new features also lower IT costs and offer businesses a predictable, secure way to leverage modern mobile capabilities—supported by the most secure and cloud-integrated version of Windows.

Microsoft and Ericsson have a long-standing partnership dedicated to providing managed 5G connectivity services for enterprise workspaces. After several successful multi-market pilot projects, the two companies recently announced this collaboration. Microsoft and Ericsson will work with carriers (CSPs) and other global partners to launch enterprise 5G plans, with the first packages including Surface Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft 365, Intune, and Ericsson Enterprise 5G Connect.

During the 2026 Mobile World Congress (MWC Barcelona 2026), besides showcasing the solution’s capabilities, Microsoft and Ericsson will offer exclusive insights into future solutions that will become part of their joint offerings.

Experts will demonstrate this joint solution and its new features: prioritizing 5G as the primary network policy remotely; automatic eSIM switching; and local agents running on Surface 5G laptops to make real-time, intelligent, context-aware decisions. This will showcase optimized connectivity performance to ensure high-value business workflows are always smooth and reliable.

Ericsson CTO Erik Ekudden stated, “AI-driven 5G laptops are redefining how and where work is done. By partnering with Microsoft and leading carriers, we help organizations deploy and operate seamless, secure, always-connected devices—regardless of location—creating a smarter, more responsive workplace for the AI era. This joint solution is expected to transform IT and employee work methods worldwide.”

Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of the Windows Enterprise Division, Ian LeGrow, said, “Windows 11 is the best enterprise platform for large-scale deployment and management of 5G-connected PCs. With the new 5G management features in Windows 11—currently piloted on Surface Copilot+ PCs and Ericsson Enterprise 5G Connect—enterprise IT teams can seamlessly configure, manage, and secure devices and 5G connections using Microsoft Intune. Together, Windows, Intune, Surface, and Ericsson enable organizations to confidently deploy AI-ready PCs, ensuring employees can work securely and efficiently from anywhere.”

This joint solution is currently available in key markets: in the U.S. with T-Mobile; in Sweden with Telenor; in Singapore with Singtel; and in Japan with SoftBank. During 2026, similar services will be launched in other markets, including Spain with MasOrange, Germany with O2Telefónica, and Finland with Elisa.