Helping to enable secure, connected work: Surface with built-in 5G on the Verizon network

This blog is cowritten with the Verizon Business team. Visit Connected Laptops: LTE & 5G Business Laptops | Verizon to learn more.

Consistent connectivity is foundational for accessing cloud insights and collaboration. For organizations operating in hybrid, field-based, or distributed environments, it is a prerequisite for productivity. Laptops without consistent broadband access limit the effectiveness of modern tools and the flow of work. Surface for Business devices with 5G support address this challenge directly. They provide security, manageability, and performance designed to support how work happens now. When combined with the Verizon 5G network, employees can enjoy broad coverage to keep work flowing. 

Surface Copilot+ PCs represent the next evolution of the enterprise endpoint. These devices are optimized for AI workloads with neural processing units (NPUs) delivering 40+ TOPS for on-device AI processing and contributing to extended battery life​​.¹ With the addition of 5G on devices like Surface Laptop 5G for Business, supported by Verizon’s network and enterprise mobility services, users have responsive access to apps and data, whether they are working in transit, off-site, or in locations where Wi-Fi is unavailable or unreliable. Verizon’s 5G infrastructure​ with built-in security features​ helps mobile professionals maintain business continuity with​ ​high-performance connectivity across environments. 

This blog outlines how Surface and Verizon 5G work together​​ to help meet the demands of today’s mobile work, support AI-assisted productivity, and deliver a scalable approach to secure device management. 

Connectivity designed for mobility, not dependency 

Tethering to phones, relying on shared hotspots, and searching for open networks introduce friction. They also increase risk. Public Wi-Fi remains vulnerable to common attack methods, including man-in-the-middle interceptions, packet sniffing, and rogue access points. Even well-configured networks present challenges when users move between environments or require low-latency access to cloud services. 

Once provisioned, the connection ​on the Verizon 5G network with built-in security features ​is persistent ​and ​controlled through enterprise policies. Employees stay connected to Microsoft 365, line-of-business apps, and cloud resources without depending on user-managed solutions. Connectivity becomes a built-in function of the endpoint, not an external variable. 

Verizon’s 5G network supports this model with coverage, bandwidth, and enterprise-grade protections. Based on RootMetrics 1H 2025 RootScore® Report, Verizon is ranked as the most reliable 5G network in United States ​. Ookla Speedtest Intelligence® confirms Verizon provides the best mobile coverage across the country as of 1H 2025.² Experiences vary by region and device, but the infrastructure is in place to support business use at scale. 

5G support enables real-time productivity with Copilot+ PCs 

Surface Copilot+ PCs combine two essential elements for AI-enabled productivity: dedicated 40+ TOPS  NPUs​​​​ for local inference and persistent connectivity for access to cloud-based models. This supports a work experience that is responsive, reliable, and adaptable to real-world work conditions. 

At the same time, many AI scenarios—such as summarizing documents in Word, generating responses in Outlook, or retrieving meeting insights—depend on large-scale cloud models. These use cases require a fast, stable connection to the Microsoft 365 cloud to deliver contextually relevant, up-to-date results. 

5G makes this possible​ virtually​ anywhere. With support for 5G built in, Surface devices can stay connected to cloud AI services without requiring Wi-Fi or tethering. Users benefit from low-latency access to Copilot features, the ability to sync with company resources when away from Wi-Fi and in range of a compatible 5G network, and a consistent experience across locations. The result is an AI-powered workflow that feels continuous and dependable. 

Security from chip to cloud 

The multilayered security model of Microsoft Surface helps protect your business at every level—and 5G assures a carrier-provided connection. With features such as TPM 2.0, secured-core protections, BitLocker encryption, and Windows Hello biometric authentication, Surface devices deliver security at every layer of the stack. 

​​Verizon’s mobile network architecture complements these device-level protections. It provides secure SIM and eSIM provisioning, encrypted data transmission, and support for private network slicing, secure tunneling, and VPN passthrough. Enterprises can implement split tunneling, web filtering, and endpoint protection through Verizon’s hosted mobile private network services. These protections extend from the physical layer through the application layer, supporting a zero-trust posture across environments. 

Surface devices with 5G can be deployed and managed through Microsoft Intune,³ giving IT administrators full control over connectivity settings, data usage, roaming policies, and device health. This single-pane approach to policy enforcement reduces the burden of mobile device management while increasing visibility across distributed teams. 

Connectivity you can rely on 

With traditional Wi-Fi-first devices, the burden of securing and managing connectivity often falls to the end user. They decide when to connect, where to connect, and how to troubleshoot. When connections fail, productivity stalls. When networks are misconfigured or untrustworthy, data may be at risk of exposure. 

Surface with 5G extends the management model IT already uses for Wi-Fi. Connectivity can be provisioned, monitored, and governed just like device configuration, updates, and security. eSIM profiles can be deployed without physical cards, roaming can be restricted by location or usage tier, and data caps can be enforced at the organizational level. Employees stay focused on work instead of managing connectivity. This shift moves connectivity from a point of friction to a managed enterprise capability. It also aligns with the broader shift toward policy-based management of endpoints, where settings and behaviors are defined by role and risk, not user behavior. 

Surface and Verizon support a future-ready device strategy 

Surface devices with 5G are practical investments for organizations aligning their endpoint strategy with hybrid work, AI integration, and mobile productivity. These devices support core IT requirements for manageability, security, and lifecycle value. They also support user expectations for immediacy, performance, and flexibility. The devices are optimized for Windows 11, can managed through Microsoft Intune, and supported by Microsoft 365. 

Verizon adds a layer of infrastructure that makes these features viable beyond the office. It ​helps ​enable secure access to the network edge. It removes the limitations of location. It supports the pace and pressure of real-world work. 5G is rapidly becoming a core enabler of modern work. Surface for Business with Verizon connectivity delivers on the promise of working from ​virtually ​anywhere—​ ​intelligently and without delay​ on the Verizon 5G network with built-in security​. 

References

1. Battery life varies significantly based on usage, network and feature configuration, signal strength, settings, and other factors. See Surface Battery Performance for details.
2. Based on RootMetrics® United States RootScore® Report: 1H 2025. Tested with best commercially available smartphones on three national mobile networks across all available network types. Your experiences may vary. RootMetrics rankings are not an endorsement of Verizon.
3. Separate subscription required.