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jsh1120 · 02-12-2012, 06:35 PM

Not sure if this is the most appropriate place for the comments below but this does appear to be a site with relatively heavy traffic. And while the points may be obvious to those who already own a Kindle Fire, they may be helpful to those who are considering a purchase. So, apologies for the arrogance displayed by the "Definitive" label. Just trying to attract the attention of folks who may find it useful.

In reading the reviews of the Kindle Fire on the Amazon website complaints about the absence of "3G" connectivity come up frequently. Many such complaints come from those who apparently believe Amazon decided not to include the sort of "lifetime 3G" feature available on some other Kindles. In fact, of course, the main reason it is not available on the KF is that providing "free" 3G to the KF would add hundreds of dollars to the price if Amazon could even convince a cell carrier to offer such a plan. There is a HUGE difference between offering occasional 3G-based downloads of books and offering 3G for the web access (including video streaming) possible on the Kindle Fire that no cell carrier would agree to such a deal.

So having said that, why doesn't Amazon offer the sort of 3G access available on the "3G iPad?" I have no inside information about this decision but it should be noted that Apple charges an additional $130 usd for the "3G" version of the iPad. That price covers the cost of the cell radio included in the iPad compared to the wifi only iPad. In addition to that price increase, owners of 3G iPads must also pay about $30 per month for internet downloads via 3G with a ceiling of (currently) 2 gigabytes of data.

Apparently, many consumers don't realize that they have a similar option with the Kindle Fire. Either of two approaches works.

() Buy a "mobile hotspot," sometimes called a "Mifi." This is a small device about the size of a playing card, about 1/4 of an inch thick, and weighing about 3 oz. Cell carriers offer different models, typically for far less than the $130 premium you would pay for an iPad with "built-in" 3G.

If you purchase from a cell carrier (e.g. Verizon), you'll have to commit to a one or two year contract to get a subsidized price for the hotspot (much like a cell phone which is what a mobile hotspot is minus voice capabilities.) Typically, a data plan for a mobile hotspot costs about $50 per month for a maximum of 5 gigabytes of downloads per month. My plan offers up to 10 gigs per month (which I've never come close to using) for $80 per month.

Although the data plan is a full contract commitment whether you use it or not, it does have a couple of advantages. First, the mobile hotspot can be used with multiple devices. I use mine with my laptop, iPad, and Kindle Fire. Second, you will probably have access to a 4G/LTE network in addition to the crowded (and sometimes slow) 3G cell network of the carrier. My mobile hotspot performance is close to what I get with a cable modem at home.

() A second alternative is to add a "tethering" feature to a smartphone. Most new smartphones (including the iPhone 4S) support this feature and most new Android phones support it with 4G connectivity. It enables the smartphone to be the source of a wifi network for your KF.

The cost is typically about $20 per month and it adds 2 gigabytes of downloads to your phone's data plan. And unlike the mobile hotspot alternative, the feature can usually be turned off for months you don't use it.

So, there you have it. Want 3G (or even 4G) internet access wherever you go for your KF? If you're prepared to carry a small mobile hotspot or your cell phone you can have the capability today. No, it's not free. It never will be. But depending on your choice, the cost and capability are approximately the same as that offered for the iPad and other tablets.

Again, sorry if this is all old news to many readers. But for those coming from other Kindle devices who are accustomed to "free 3G" and are either disappointed that it is not offered on the KF or who believe they have no options for 3G capabilities on the KF, it may be useful.

02-12-2012, 06:35 PM	#1
jsh1120 Connoisseur Posts: 91 Karma: 10244 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Seattle, Washington USA Device: Kindle Fire	The "Definitive" 3G/4G Thread Not sure if this is the most appropriate place for the comments below but this does appear to be a site with relatively heavy traffic. And while the points may be obvious to those who already own a Kindle Fire, they may be helpful to those who are considering a purchase. So, apologies for the arrogance displayed by the "Definitive" label. Just trying to attract the attention of folks who may find it useful. In reading the reviews of the Kindle Fire on the Amazon website complaints about the absence of "3G" connectivity come up frequently. Many such complaints come from those who apparently believe Amazon decided not to include the sort of "lifetime 3G" feature available on some other Kindles. In fact, of course, the main reason it is not available on the KF is that providing "free" 3G to the KF would add hundreds of dollars to the price if Amazon could even convince a cell carrier to offer such a plan. There is a HUGE difference between offering occasional 3G-based downloads of books and offering 3G for the web access (including video streaming) possible on the Kindle Fire that no cell carrier would agree to such a deal. So having said that, why doesn't Amazon offer the sort of 3G access available on the "3G iPad?" I have no inside information about this decision but it should be noted that Apple charges an additional $130 usd for the "3G" version of the iPad. That price covers the cost of the cell radio included in the iPad compared to the wifi only iPad. In addition to that price increase, owners of 3G iPads must also pay about $30 per month for internet downloads via 3G with a ceiling of (currently) 2 gigabytes of data. Apparently, many consumers don't realize that they have a similar option with the Kindle Fire. Either of two approaches works. () Buy a "mobile hotspot," sometimes called a "Mifi." This is a small device about the size of a playing card, about 1/4 of an inch thick, and weighing about 3 oz. Cell carriers offer different models, typically for far less than the $130 premium you would pay for an iPad with "built-in" 3G. If you purchase from a cell carrier (e.g. Verizon), you'll have to commit to a one or two year contract to get a subsidized price for the hotspot (much like a cell phone which is what a mobile hotspot is minus voice capabilities.) Typically, a data plan for a mobile hotspot costs about $50 per month for a maximum of 5 gigabytes of downloads per month. My plan offers up to 10 gigs per month (which I've never come close to using) for $80 per month. Although the data plan is a full contract commitment whether you use it or not, it does have a couple of advantages. First, the mobile hotspot can be used with multiple devices. I use mine with my laptop, iPad, and Kindle Fire. Second, you will probably have access to a 4G/LTE network in addition to the crowded (and sometimes slow) 3G cell network of the carrier. My mobile hotspot performance is close to what I get with a cable modem at home. () A second alternative is to add a "tethering" feature to a smartphone. Most new smartphones (including the iPhone 4S) support this feature and most new Android phones support it with 4G connectivity. It enables the smartphone to be the source of a wifi network for your KF. The cost is typically about $20 per month and it adds 2 gigabytes of downloads to your phone's data plan. And unlike the mobile hotspot alternative, the feature can usually be turned off for months you don't use it. So, there you have it. Want 3G (or even 4G) internet access wherever you go for your KF? If you're prepared to carry a small mobile hotspot or your cell phone you can have the capability today. No, it's not free. It never will be. But depending on your choice, the cost and capability are approximately the same as that offered for the iPad and other tablets. Again, sorry if this is all old news to many readers. But for those coming from other Kindle devices who are accustomed to "free 3G" and are either disappointed that it is not offered on the KF or who believe they have no options for 3G capabilities on the KF, it may be useful.