Telstra USB 4G (AirCard 320U) not compatable yet for windows RT?

Question

Hi,

  I just bought a Windows Surface for my dad and it works great at my house on WiFi. But my dad has a Telstra USB 4G (AirCard 320U) for his internet access but when i plug it in it says its not compatable with the surface. Has anyone been able to use usb wifi in the surface or do i have to wait till the service provider comes out with a Windows RT patch? I was trying not to have to sign up on another plan to get a pocket wifiwhich i know will work. i was hoping it might just be a software update away from using something he already owns.

Answer 1

Greetings Disco24,

Sorry to hear you're dad is unable to use his 4G USB aircard. The Aircard 320u is not listed in the Windows Compatibility Center, and when I checked it out from Sierra Wireless website, it does support Windows 8, but not Windows RT.

Answer 2

This is the biggest problem with Window RT the list of compatible products is very small.

I have had no joy with my Wi-Fi printer or 2 of my Bluetooth headset.

I was led to believe that RT was going to be compatible with thousands of products.

Answer 3

Some people have had success selecting similar printers (same family or oem) rather than their specific model - and getting printing going OK this way.

Answer 4

I was trying not to have to sign up on another plan to get a pocket wifiwhich i know will work. i was hoping it might just be a software update away from using something he already owns.

Ummm - doesn't the USB 4G dongle have a Sim in it? If so - you wouldn't need to sign up to another plan would you - just buy the pocketwifi hardware and put the USB dongle sim in it? Ask them to confirm and test for you at a Telstra store.

I am using the 4G pocket wifi portable unit just fine with my Surface RT...

Answer 5

This certainly is a problem. A bunch of us developers in the community have been trying to find a USB GPS solution for WinRT, but as is the case here, there are no drivers available that we can find for *ANY* USB GPS product. None, zero, zip.

The problem appears to be that Microsoft may be unintentionally impeding the process since the manufacturers of these devices have not been able to acquire the requisite sdks or signing permission (for the device app since they have to be signed to run) to do so. Another problem is that Windows Store Apps don't have the necessary access to the USB device even if the driver existed. So it's a big problem. We've posted on forums and tried contacting Microsoft directly, but so far nothing.