Surface 3 LTE Release Date Soon: Microsoft Says Windows 10-Ready Tablet Set For Launch

Microsoft has announced that an LTE-equipped version of its Surface 3 tablet will launch in the United States “in the coming weeks.”

The cellular edition, having launched two weeks ago through Y!Mobile in Japan, will first become available to business customers through launch partners in Germany and the UK on July 3, with France and Spain following. The tablet will then launch for retail in France, Germany, the UK and the U.S. The company plans to bring the model to additional markets after these launches.

The Surface 3 comes with Windows 8.1 but will receive a free upgrade to Windows 10 when available. Pricing is yet to be announced, but the 64GB with 2GB RAM and 128GB with 4GB RAM Wi-Fi models retail for $499 and $599 respectively. Business customers in participating regions will be offered special configurations for both models including 4GB RAM and Windows 8.1 Pro.

The Register previously reported the tablet had been accidentally added to Microsoft’s UK store with an eye-watering price of £77,777.77. The listing was later pulled.

Business customers looking to purchase in the launch regions will need to go through the partner carriers Microsoft has announced. In the UK, this will be O2, in Germany Deutsche Telekom, in France Orange Business Services, and in Spain Movistar. The Inquirer reports that O2 has a three-month exclusive on selling rights, and will retail for £50 upfront, followed by £27.67 on a two-year contract.