Need 3G in Australia?

ijbrewst · 01-07-2011, 02:01 AM

I am not too knowledgable re wifi and hotspots. If I buy a Kindle without 3G for use in Australia (and maybe NZ) will I still find several wifi access points around the country? Will I have to register/sign in to use those points? Would I have to pay for the links?

kindlekitten · 01-07-2011, 02:28 AM

I don't know about the accessibility, I am fairly certain you will not have to pay for the links or register. your fellow countrymen should be logging on shortly and hopefully you will have a more complete answer

welcome to the forums!

ThomasC · 01-07-2011, 02:41 AM

There are not a lot of freebie wifi hotspots in Australia. I recommend paying the extra $50 and get the 3G. It's free access and is available anywhere in Australia that has 3G phone coverage.

I think that many people who buy the wifi only model regret not buying the wifi/3G.

Cheers,
Tom

caleb72 · 01-07-2011, 02:44 AM

I have the WiFi only and it's pretty crashy. I also know some who have the 3G version and have reported no problems.

I've been recommending to friends that they buy the 3G version and pay the extra $50.

If you do want access all around the place I wouldn't rely on WiFi hotspots anyway. 3G seems to be alot simpler as long as you're in a 3G area.

Regards
Caleb

HarryT · 01-07-2011, 02:49 AM

I'd certainly recommend getting the 3G version. The wireless delivery of books works exceptionally well, and it's nice not to have to rely on finding a WiFi hotspot.

nohmi2 · 01-07-2011, 03:11 AM

I have a Kindle 3G wifi with all of the bells and whistles.

I have never had any trouble with it at all.

Good luck.

Cheers

Pushka · 01-07-2011, 03:12 AM

macdonalds have free wifi and we also have it in Adelaide CBD. I think the extra for 3G is worth it, but bear in mind it is through vodafone, so if you are not in the main populated areas of Australia then the 3G may also be an issue. Of course you can always download to your kindle through your computer.

ThomasC · 01-07-2011, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushka

macdonalds have free wifi and we also have it in Adelaide CBD. I think the extra for 3G is worth it, but bear in mind it is through vodafone, so if you are not in the main populated areas of Australia then the 3G may also be an issue. Of course you can always download to your kindle through your computer.

Another good reason to spend lots more $'s and buy a DXG. It still works on the Telstra 3G network (no wifi though). Better 3G coverage and faster 3G net speeds. The larger screen is also much better for reading pdf's and all e-books in general. I love mine! My wife still likes her K3 wifi/3G better since it's smaller/lighter.

Cheers,
Tom

nohmi2 · 01-07-2011, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasC

Another good reason to spend lots more $'s and buy a DXG. It still works on the Telstra 3G network (no wifi though). Better 3G coverage and faster 3G net speeds. The larger screen is also much better for reading pdf's and all e-books in general. I love mine! My wife still likes her K3 wifi/3G better since it's smaller/lighter.

Cheers,
Tom

I agree with your wife.

Mine is always in my handbag.

Cheers

Pushka · 01-07-2011, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nohmi2

I agree with your wife.

Mine is always in my handbag.

Cheers

Mine too. Actually, I have two, one in the bag and one in the lounge. I think the DX is just a little large for me but I can see why they are popular.

stargazir · 01-07-2011, 06:23 AM

Your best option is a McDonalds and occasionally cafes that may offer it as a promo with purchase. While there are plenty of McDonalds in Australia, having to find one just to get online isn't exactly convenient.
Since so many people have internet on their cellphone in Australia, Wi-Fi isn't really all that common. While I know you shouldn't buy a kindle for internet a big swaying point in choosing my ereader was that I could finally have internet when I wanted it while out and about.

ijbrewst · 01-07-2011, 07:07 PM

Thankyou all for your very helpful comments. I will go 3G when I can.

Blue Tyson · 01-07-2011, 09:39 PM

Yes, in Australia the free 3G internet that comes with it makes that one the one to get for sure. $50 or whatever won't get you much mobile internet access if you have to pay for it.

HarryT · 01-08-2011, 03:41 AM

I would caution about getting a Kindle specifically for Internet access. The Kindle's browser is not wonderful. I find myself using my iPhone for mobile Internet, not my Kindle. Yes, I have to pay a moderate amount for it, but it's 100x better.

negiarcian · 01-08-2011, 05:45 AM

in New Zealand, you can use the 3G to get to amazon, & maybe wikipedia but general browsing is "restricted due to local conditions".

This is a listing of countries where 3G browsing is available http://amzn.to/uk-3gwebwhere

01-07-2011, 02:01 AM	#1
ijbrewst Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi	Need 3G in Australia? I am not too knowledgable re wifi and hotspots. If I buy a Kindle without 3G for use in Australia (and maybe NZ) will I still find several wifi access points around the country? Will I have to register/sign in to use those points? Would I have to pay for the links?

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01-07-2011, 02:28 AM	#2
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	I don't know about the accessibility, I am fairly certain you will not have to pay for the links or register. your fellow countrymen should be logging on shortly and hopefully you will have a more complete answer welcome to the forums!

01-07-2011, 02:41 AM	#3
ThomasC Thunder Down Under Posts: 210 Karma: 29154 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: kindle dxg, K3, K4nt, iPhone	There are not a lot of freebie wifi hotspots in Australia. I recommend paying the extra $50 and get the 3G. It's free access and is available anywhere in Australia that has 3G phone coverage. I think that many people who buy the wifi only model regret not buying the wifi/3G. Cheers, Tom

01-07-2011, 02:44 AM	#4
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	I have the WiFi only and it's pretty crashy. I also know some who have the 3G version and have reported no problems. I've been recommending to friends that they buy the 3G version and pay the extra $50. If you do want access all around the place I wouldn't rely on WiFi hotspots anyway. 3G seems to be alot simpler as long as you're in a 3G area. Regards Caleb

01-07-2011, 02:49 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'd certainly recommend getting the 3G version. The wireless delivery of books works exceptionally well, and it's nice not to have to rely on finding a WiFi hotspot.

01-07-2011, 03:11 AM	#6
nohmi2 Pensively observing. Posts: 1,758 Karma: 12675456 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Varied.	I have a Kindle 3G wifi with all of the bells and whistles. I have never had any trouble with it at all. Good luck. Cheers

01-07-2011, 03:12 AM	#7
Pushka Wizard Posts: 1,119 Karma: 1019140 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Device: kindle, Ipad, Iphone, Nexus and PPW	macdonalds have free wifi and we also have it in Adelaide CBD. I think the extra for 3G is worth it, but bear in mind it is through vodafone, so if you are not in the main populated areas of Australia then the 3G may also be an issue. Of course you can always download to your kindle through your computer.

01-07-2011, 06:23 AM	#11
stargazir Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 78 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kindle 3	Your best option is a McDonalds and occasionally cafes that may offer it as a promo with purchase. While there are plenty of McDonalds in Australia, having to find one just to get online isn't exactly convenient. Since so many people have internet on their cellphone in Australia, Wi-Fi isn't really all that common. While I know you shouldn't buy a kindle for internet a big swaying point in choosing my ereader was that I could finally have internet when I wanted it while out and about.

01-07-2011, 07:07 PM	#12
ijbrewst Member Posts: 16 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi	Thankyou all for your very helpful comments. I will go 3G when I can.

01-07-2011, 09:39 PM	#13
Blue Tyson Blue Captain Posts: 1,595 Karma: 5000236 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Australia Device: Kindle Keyboard 3G,Huawei Ideos X3,Kobo Mini	Yes, in Australia the free 3G internet that comes with it makes that one the one to get for sure. $50 or whatever won't get you much mobile internet access if you have to pay for it.

01-08-2011, 03:41 AM	#14
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I would caution about getting a Kindle specifically for Internet access. The Kindle's browser is not wonderful. I find myself using my iPhone for mobile Internet, not my Kindle. Yes, I have to pay a moderate amount for it, but it's 100x better.

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01-08-2011, 05:45 AM	#15
negiarcian Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle	in New Zealand, you can use the 3G to get to amazon, & maybe wikipedia but general browsing is "restricted due to local conditions". This is a listing of countries where 3G browsing is available http://amzn.to/uk-3gwebwhere