Comparisons · Microsoft Support articles on using an eSIM for a cellular data connection on a Windows PC and on cellular settings in Windows, both marked Applies To Windows 10 and Windows 11

Before buying a laptop with built-in LTE or 5G: checking for the Cellular page in Windows

For anyone tired of tethering to a phone every time they work away from a desk and considering a laptop with built-in LTE or 5G. Before purchase the thing to read is the maker's specification sheet, but on a demo unit in a shop, or on a machine you already own, the check is whether Windows Settings lists a Cellular page. This guide follows what Microsoft's support articles state: how to run that check, how eSIM differs from a physical SIM, what changes with the Windows version, and what the alternatives are if you do not buy a built-in modem. It does not cover which operators support what, or pricing.

Published 2026-09-20 · Updated 2026-09-20 · FaultNote editorial policy

An overview of this guide’s steps and checks, not a screenshot of the app.

Who this guide is for and what to prepare

Anyone considering a laptop with LTE or 5G built in and unsure which part of the specification sheet to read
Anyone wanting to confirm whether the machine they already own supports cellular
Anyone asking whether cellular can be added to an existing laptop later

What you need

Open the maker's specification sheet for each candidate and look for WWAN, LTE, 5G or eSIM anywhere on it
Check at the model-number level, because one product name can split into configurations with and without the modem
If you are checking a machine in front of you, be ready to open Windows Settings
Have the data plan information from the operator you intend to use. The PC supporting cellular does not remove the need for a contract

1. Deciding support from the Settings screen

Microsoft's support article on using an eSIM to get a cellular data connection on a Windows PC, read on 2026-09-20 and marked Applies To Windows 10 and Windows 11, gives this as the way to check whether a PC supports cellular networks: "Select Start > Settings > Network & internet ." then "Look for a Cellular page. If Cellular is listed, your PC supports cellular connectivity."

So the test is simply whether a Cellular page appears under Network and internet. It works on a demo machine in a shop or on a borrowed one, and takes under a minute.

Whether the machine carries an eSIM is one step further. The same article says: "Look for Use this SIM for cellular data ." and "Select the drop-down list and check for eSIM , SIM2 , or a similar option. Select eSIM to use it for cellular data." The presence of eSIM or SIM2 in that drop-down is the indicator.

Whether a profile is already installed is checked at "Select Start > Settings > Network & internet > Cellular > eSIM profiles ." The article states that if a profile from your mobile operator or organisation is listed you are ready to connect, and if not, one has to be added.

2. What each state leaves you able to do

Mapping the three checks above onto decisions before and after purchase gives the table below. Every row rests on the check steps and options stated in Microsoft's articles, and none of it assumes a particular model or operator.

The row worth pausing on is the first. For a PC with no Cellular page, the route the article points to is not fitting an internal module later but attaching an external device or tethering.

Whichever row applies, a contract with an operator is still needed separately. As quoted in the next section, that is stated explicitly by Microsoft.

Scroll horizontally to see the full table →

2. What each state leaves you able to do
State	How it appears in Windows	Options available	What to check before buying
No cellular support	No Cellular page in Settings	An external cellular device, or tethering from a phone	Whether the specification sheet mentions WWAN, LTE or 5G
Cellular with a physical SIM	A Cellular page is present	Insert a SIM card and use it	Whether the specification sheet states there is a SIM slot
Cellular with an eSIM	eSIM or SIM2 appears under Use this SIM for cellular data	Add an eSIM profile	Whether the specification sheet mentions eSIM
Supported, but no profile yet	The eSIM profiles list is empty	Download from the operator, enter an activation code, or scan a QR code	Whether your intended operator publishes Windows instructions

3. The contract is a separate requirement

The article on cellular settings in Windows, read the same day and also marked Applies To Windows 10 and Windows 11, covers both built-in and external hardware and is explicit about the contract: "If your Windows 11 device doesn't have a SIM card or eSIM, you can still connect to a cellular network by plugging in an external cellular device (also called a cellular modem or mobile broadband device). Either way, you must have a data plan from a mobile operator to connect."

The last sentence is the point. Built in or plugged in, connecting requires a data plan from an operator. Between 5G appearing on a specification sheet and being online away from the desk there is one more step, and it is a contract.

The same article describes the connection behaviour: "If Let Windows keep me connected is turned on, you'll get connected to cellular data automatically when you're not connected to another type of network, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet." In other words there is a setting that switches to cellular automatically when no other network is attached. On a metered plan that behaviour needs to be understood before use.

The article also notes that on first connection you may be prompted for a user name, password and access point name. Have whatever the operator or SIM came with to hand before you start.

4. Adding an eSIM profile depends on the Windows version

This one bears on the purchase decision too. The eSIM article states: "If you're running Windows version later than 2602, you can download eSIM profiles from supported mobile operators. If your operator doesn't support profile downloads, use one of the other methods described below." Downloading a profile from the operator's site is therefore offered subject to a version condition.

The other methods are listed in the same article: searching for available profiles from the eSIM profiles screen, and entering an activation code received from the operator or scanning a QR code. Both are written out down to the on-screen item names, so there is little room to get lost.

There is also a caution about what you may be asked for: "During activation, you may be asked to share cellular identifiers such as EID and IMEI." followed by "Only share this information with websites you trust." EID and IMEI identify the device, so confirm you are on the operator's own instructions before continuing.

On removing a profile the article says: "Delete a profile only if you no longer need it. If you delete a profile, you may need to contact your mobile operator to add it again later." It is not something to remove as casually as pulling out a physical SIM.

5. Not buying built-in, and the pre-purchase checklist

Built-in cellular is usually a configuration option, and nothing here is written on the premise of adding it to the chassis afterwards. As above, what Microsoft's article offers a machine without support is an external cellular device. Fitting an imported radio module yourself raises a separate regulatory question in Japan concerning technical conformity certification, so this guide does not recommend that route.

The practical alternatives are three: an external cellular device, tethering from a phone, or a mobile router. All of them still need a contract, exactly as a built-in modem does. What differs is whether you carry an extra object or keep everything inside the PC's own settings.

The pre-purchase checks come down to five items. Does the specification sheet mention WWAN, LTE, 5G or eSIM. Is there a physical SIM slot, since some models are eSIM only. Are the supported bands stated. On a demo unit, is there a Cellular page in Settings. And does the operator you intend to use publish instructions for a Windows PC.

Both Microsoft articles carry a note to the effect that settings and features may vary based on device hardware, carrier support and Windows version. The screen item names and steps may not appear exactly as described.

Limitations and requirements

Nothing here names which mobile operators support this. No operator-side primary source was read. Check whether your intended operator publishes instructions for Windows PCs yourself.
Supported bands, the relationship between frequency and real-world speed, coverage and pricing are all out of scope.
The condition quoted as Windows version later than 2602 is what Microsoft's support article stated on 2026-09-20. Version notation and conditions can change, so open the article again before configuring anything.
An eSIM is part of the device hardware, and nothing read here is written on the premise of adding one later. Microsoft's article directs unsupported machines to an external device. Fitting an imported radio module yourself raises a separate regulatory question in Japan concerning technical conformity certification, and is not recommended here.
The wording quoted comes from the English-language support articles. The Japanese editions may use different phrasing and different on-screen item names.
The observation that one product name can split into configurations with and without WWAN is this site's general framing of how such machines are sold, not something confirmed on a specific maker's specification sheet. Check the sheet at the model-number level.

Frequently asked questions

Can I confirm cellular support in about 30 seconds?

Following Microsoft's steps, yes, in about 30 seconds. Open Settings, then Network and internet, and see whether a Cellular page is listed. Listed means supported; absent means not. To go further and check for an eSIM, see whether the Use this SIM for cellular data drop-down offers eSIM or SIM2.

Can I add LTE or 5G to the laptop I already own?

What Microsoft's article offers an unsupported machine is connecting an external cellular device, described there as a cellular modem or mobile broadband device. Fitting an internal module is not described in that article. In Japan there is also the separate matter of technical conformity certification for radio equipment, so this guide does not recommend it either.

Which is better, an eSIM or a physical SIM?

This guide does not rank them. What Microsoft's article does establish is that an eSIM can hold several profiles and let you switch which one is in use; it opens by giving one plan for work and another for personal use, and adding a local plan while travelling, as examples. Whether a physical slot exists depends on the model, so check the specification sheet.

Setup is asking for my EID and IMEI. Is that expected?

Microsoft's article states that during activation you may be asked to share cellular identifiers such as EID and IMEI, and that this information should only be shared with sites you trust. Confirm that you reached the page from the operator's own instructions before continuing.

Will it use cellular data even when Wi-Fi is available?

According to Microsoft's article, when Let Windows keep me connected is turned on, the PC connects to cellular data automatically when it is not connected to another type of network such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. What happens while another network is attached therefore depends on that setting. On a metered plan, check it before you start using the connection.

Sources and verification date

Sources checked: 2026-09-20. These sources support the specifications, procedures or prices discussed here. Check each source for applicable conditions and current information.

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