Microsoft has just announced that it is gearing up to launch an LTE-equipped Surface 3 tablet version in the United States "in the coming weeks."

According to IB Times, the cellular edition of the tablet, which was launched two weeks back in Japan via Y!Mobile, will first be made available to business customers through the company's launch partners in the U.K. and Germany on July 3, to be followed by its launch in France and Spain. Subsequently, the tablet will be available for retail in the United States, the U.K., France and Germany. The Redmond, Washington-based tech titan plans to introduce the new Surface 3 model in other markets soon.

As far as the specs of the Surface 3 are concerned, the device come with Windows 8.1, but will receive a free upgrade to Windows 10 as soon as the latest OS is available. While Microsoft is yet to announce the price of the device, it is expected that the 64GB version with 2GB RAM and 128GB version with 4GB RAM Wi-Fi models will retail for $499 and $599 respectively. Microsoft will offer business customers in the regions where the device will be first launched special configurations for both models, including 4GB RAM and Windows 8.1 Pro.

Earlier, The Register reported that Surface 4 had been accidentally included in Microsoft's UK store with an extremely unpleasant price of £77,777.77. However, the listing was removed later.

Business customers who want purchase the Surface 3 in the launch regions will require going through the partner carriers announced by Microsoft. In the UK, this will be O2, in Germany Deutsche Telekom, in France Orange Business Services, and Movistar in Spain.

A report in the Inquirer states that O2 has a three-month exclusive on selling rights, and will retail for £50 upfront, subsequently £27.67 on a two-year contract.