It’s been awhile since I owned a Kindle with 3G wireless but the coverage was always surprisingly good, better than a lot of cellphones.
Kindles support 3G wireless connectivity in over 100 countries and territories across the globe.
If you’re thinking about getting a Kindle with 3G wireless support or if you’re going to be traveling with your 3G Kindle, it’s a good idea to check Amazon’s Kindle 3G wireless coverage map.
The map shows the 3G coverage areas (orange) and slower EDGE/GPRS coverage areas (dark gray) worldwide.
The current Kindle ereaders are available with 3G wireless except the entry-level Kindle, including the Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Voyage, and Kindle Oasis.
The 3G Kindles add $70 to the overall price compared to the Wi-Fi only Kindles, but the usage of the wireless itself is free to use for as long as the Kindle works.
However, the usage of 3G wireless is limited to Amazon and Wikipedia when using the Kindle’s built-in web browser, so you can’t use the 3G for general internet access, just Wi-Fi.
Kindles will automatically switch to 3G coverage when Wi-Fi isn’t available and vice versa. Having 3G is a nice option if you’re away from reliable Wi-Fi connections frequently.
I still have one, 1 of the old keyboards, and the 3G still works great. I keep waiting for the battery to die but it keeps going.
I personally think the 3G option is a waste of money considering the vast majority of people have smartphones and most if not all cellphone companies have tethering included with their plans enabling users to have a wireless hotspot wich you can attach your Kindle to in case you want to download a book on the go. Most books are no more than 500KB -1MB in size anyway. Now if you are a career camper and outdoorsman or are constantly traveling internationally then maybe but even still you can quickly download a few books over wifi and be done with it.
I purchased a kindle voyage with 3G,(craigslist $150) I only pay $14.50 month for cell phone service I use text only-very limited data. I have had a ooma telo for home service for at least 7 years cost me less than $5 a month for all the calls I need, I am using the 3G while camping.
Gosh, I remember using my old keyboard Kindle to receive and send my email and surf the web, slow, but still was cool to do… then Amazon did an software update 🙁
I have a 3G Voyage and I have all 3 Paperwhite models with 3G. I don’t use 3G very often so those who say it’s a waste of money have a point, but when I’m reading and I run into a concept I want to konw more about I long press and look it up on Wikipedia and for that I need 3G if I’m away from home.
My phone doesn’t have tethering. It’s a freebie from Medicare adding the price of 3G is, in my case at least, a money saver. It sure beats paying for phone service.
Barry