Old Strategy For Windows Devices With (e)SIM
The problem with Microsoft's mobile PC strategy is that it is stuck in the last decade. It's long been tried to put (e)SIM cards to devices like tablets and laptops. As usual, you need to activate them with new data plans. In an age when most people already have smartphones, and likely with data plans already to go with them, forcing customers to add a new data plan just don't make sense.
In case Microsoft doesn't know about it, there is such a thing as shared data plan, where a single data plan can be shared by many devices. Apple used this to easily market their Apple Watch to existing customers. With a small additional fee, the Apple Watch can use an existing smartphone data plan for connectivity.
If there's more proof that mobile is weak at Microsoft, this is it. With a plan to sell Windows devices with (e)SIM that you need to apply new data plans for, Microsoft is so far behind and out of touch. The fact that these (e)SIM powered Windows devices are priced premium, and that the cost of ownership is made even higher because of the new data plan requirement, there is no worthy value to paying extra for what Microsoft's marketing superstars call "true mobility".
The truth is, with a smartphone, people are truly mobile already. If they want tablets/laptops that can connect on the go, they can just ignore the (e)SIM models, save money and be happier connecting their regular tablets/laptops through their smartphones' built-in hotspot feature.
And really, that's the point. Smartphones can be hotspots. People will most likely always carry their smartphone with them. They will not pay extra for something that they can already do. If anything, for as long as it will require new data plans to activate, Windows Devices with (e)SIM are just wastes of money.
The fix is easy. Microsoft can cut deals with major network providers to allow their Windows devices (e)SIM to be activated just as an additional device to an existing smartphone's shared data plan. Microsoft can add this as an option. It is more logical. It makes more sense. And it's a win-win-win! Microsoft can sell more (e)SIM-powered Windows devices, network providers can maximize their data plan offerings, and customers can get the most out of their money.
This is not rocket science. Perhaps, Microsoft already thought about it. Unfortunately, and I'm guessing here, Microsoft's clout in the mobile industry is so insignificant, it is likely that they couldn't get the support they need from the network providers... yet. Hopefully, by the time Microsoft decides to really push with this "fix", there are still people who think (e)SIM-powered PCs are worth paying extra for.
The way it is now, it's not worth it.
In case Microsoft doesn't know about it, there is such a thing as shared data plan, where a single data plan can be shared by many devices. Apple used this to easily market their Apple Watch to existing customers. With a small additional fee, the Apple Watch can use an existing smartphone data plan for connectivity.
If there's more proof that mobile is weak at Microsoft, this is it. With a plan to sell Windows devices with (e)SIM that you need to apply new data plans for, Microsoft is so far behind and out of touch. The fact that these (e)SIM powered Windows devices are priced premium, and that the cost of ownership is made even higher because of the new data plan requirement, there is no worthy value to paying extra for what Microsoft's marketing superstars call "true mobility".
The truth is, with a smartphone, people are truly mobile already. If they want tablets/laptops that can connect on the go, they can just ignore the (e)SIM models, save money and be happier connecting their regular tablets/laptops through their smartphones' built-in hotspot feature.
And really, that's the point. Smartphones can be hotspots. People will most likely always carry their smartphone with them. They will not pay extra for something that they can already do. If anything, for as long as it will require new data plans to activate, Windows Devices with (e)SIM are just wastes of money.
The fix is easy. Microsoft can cut deals with major network providers to allow their Windows devices (e)SIM to be activated just as an additional device to an existing smartphone's shared data plan. Microsoft can add this as an option. It is more logical. It makes more sense. And it's a win-win-win! Microsoft can sell more (e)SIM-powered Windows devices, network providers can maximize their data plan offerings, and customers can get the most out of their money.
This is not rocket science. Perhaps, Microsoft already thought about it. Unfortunately, and I'm guessing here, Microsoft's clout in the mobile industry is so insignificant, it is likely that they couldn't get the support they need from the network providers... yet. Hopefully, by the time Microsoft decides to really push with this "fix", there are still people who think (e)SIM-powered PCs are worth paying extra for.
The way it is now, it's not worth it.
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