Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Microsoft Wi-Fi may help you get connected when cellular towers are out of range

Kyle Wiggers
By

microsoft open sources graph engine microsoftlogo
Drserg/Shutterstock
Cellular is nice if you can get it, but what if you’re beyond the reach of your carrier’s towers? If you’re traveling internationally, you’re typically out of luck short of shelling out for roaming privileges (unless you’re on T-Mobile). And you’re out of luck period if you’re in an area that cell signals can’t penetrate. But luckily, Microsoft may soon unveil a product to address those edge cases — Microsoft Wi-Fi.

A leaked page, first spotted by a hawk-eyed Twitter user yesterday and since removed, detailed the new service in full. Microsoft Wi-Fi promises “hassle-free Internet access around the world” by seamlessly transitioning you between hotspots in 130 countries. “Don’t waste time filling forms with personal information or managing different carriers to get connected,” the website read. “Sign in once and you are done: you will automatically be connected to a vast range of Wi-Fi providers around the world.”

Recommended Videos

Microsoft confirmed the page was accurate, but predictably declined to offer more. “We can confirm that we are working on a new service […] that will bring hassle-free Wi-Fi to millions,” a Microsoft spokesperson told VentureBeat. “We look forward to sharing additional detail when available.”

Related

Sounds great, right? But there’s a catch: Microsoft Wi-Fi won’t be free, at least at launch. Only active Skype Wi-Fi subscribers, employees of organizations with Microsoft Office 365 for Enterprise, and customers who receive a special Wi-Fi offer from Microsoft will be eligible. In that respect, Microsoft Wi-Fi appears to be more an extension or rebranding of Skype Wi-Fi, the established service that lets you pay Skype Credits for access to 2 million hotspots globally, than an entirely new program.

Microsoft Wi-Fi is hardly a unique concept — Google’s reportedly working on a program that automatically authenticates and connects users to free Wi-Fi, and a myriad of apps on iOS and Android provide a listing of nearby wireless — but it might be one of the more ambitious. Microsoft Wi-Fi will encompass 10 million domestic and international hotspots when it launches, and the company’s prepping a broad, cross-platform launch for Microsoft Wi-Fi — the leaked page contained links to as-yet dormant Windows Mac, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone app listings.

Wi-Fi on mobile is experiencing a bit of a renaissance. T-Mobile relaunched its Wi-Fi calling program with additional benefits like inflight texting. Google Fi, Google’s MVNO service, relies partially on public access points for data and calls. And FreedomPop offers $5-a-month access to tens of millions of hotspots around the United States.

This might be perceived as a push to reduce data usage on metered plans and provide connectivity where there previously was none — while also improving the experience on cellular, since Wi-Fi users don’t contribute to congestion, of course.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kyle Wiggers
Kyle Wiggers
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kyle Wiggers is a writer, Web designer, and podcaster with an acute interest in all things tech. When not reviewing gadgets…
This Samsung 27-inch QHD gaming monitor is almost 50% off
Samsung's 2023 Odyssey Neo G7 sitting on a table.

Complete your PC gaming setup with the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G6 curved gaming monitor, which is available from Walmart with a $333 discount that nearly halves its original price of $700 to only $367. This is one of the most attractive monitor deals that we've seen recently due to all of the features that you'll be getting for this affordable price. You're going to have to act fast though -- the offer may expire at any moment, so you're going to want to complete your purchase before that happens.

Why you should buy the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G6 curved gaming monitor
The Samsung Odyssey G6 curved gaming monitor is an excellent display for the best PC games. The gaming monitor offers QHD resolution so that you'll enjoy sharp details and vivid colors while you're playing, while the 1000R curvature matches the curve of your eye and fills your peripheral vision for a more comfortable viewing experience. This is important when you have the habit of playing video games for several hours at a time. The Samsung Odyssey G6 curved gaming monitor also supports the Samsung Gaming Hub, which will let you access various cloud gaming services in one place.

Read more
Forget Apple’s 5K Studio Display: Dell’s UltraSharp 6K monitor is $150 off
The Dell 32-inch UltraSharp 6K monitor on a white background at a side angle.

Excited by the prospect of the world’s first 6K monitor? Be even more excited when you realise that Dell has discounted the Dell UltraSharp 32 6K Monitor at the moment so you can buy it for $150 off. One of the best high-end monitor deals out there today, it’s perfect for those who want the ultimate monitor right now. Usually priced at $2,480, it’s down to $2,330 for a limited time. Here’s what you need to know about it.

Why you should buy the Dell UltraSharp 32 6K Monitor
The best 4K monitors look great but they won’t compete with the wonders of the Dell UltraSharp 32 6K Monitor and its 6144 x 3456 resolution. That amount of pixels is spectacular in all the right ways with a color gamut of 99% DCI-P3 further aiding matters. It has an IPS Black panel which is a superior type of IPS panel. It offers 35% deeper blacks and greater gray colour level accuracy than conventional IPS for exceptional contrast and a sharper content viewing experience. It’s well-suited for content creation and video editing so it’s just what someone needs from a 6K screen. The 32-inch screen promises up to 156% more pixels compared to a 4K monitor with wide color coverage and exceptional 2000:1 contrast ratio.

Read more
This flash deal gets you 80% off a 2-year SurfShark VPN subscription
The Surfshark logo on a blue background.

It's highly recommended for everyone to have a VPN (virtual private network) in their devices, as you can never be too sure when it comes to your online privacy. The good ones don't come cheap though, which is why VPN deals always attract a lot of attention. Here's one for you to shop -- a two-year subscription to the SurfShark VPN Starter Plan for only $57, following an 80% discount from StackSocial on its original price of $290. You're going to have to hurry with your purchase if you're interested though, as we expect the offer and its savings of $233 to get sold out quickly.

Why you should buy the SurfShark VPN Starter Plan
First, you need to understand what is a VPN. Simply put, it's a necessity these days due to how much our daily lives rely on online activities. A VPN will protect your personal and financial information from cybercriminals, preventing headaches caused by identity theft and unauthorized charges on your credit cards. It will also allow you to bypass any geoblocking restrictions as you can have your device appear as if it's located in another place.

Read more