Kindle 3 3G in Vietnam

fidjit · 01-18-2012, 04:46 PM

While in Vietnam September 2011 on a very long 13 hour train ride, I wrote an article on using the Kindle 3 3G as a travel companion ( http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/09/11/...vel-companion/)

Just yesterday I had a comment on my post in regards to usage of the 3g in Vietnam and that other blogs had stated that they had no coverage in Vietnam. Confused as I used it from the south to the north of the country and everywhere in between for full web access.

I had a look at the Amazon website and found that the international wireless coverage map (http://client0.cellmaps.com/tabs.html#cellmaps_intl_tab) showed no coverage in Vietnam......WTF !!! Had I slurped too much Pho or had my brain liquefied in the tropical heat ??

After further research I looked at the international wireless coverage map from Amazon UK (http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=2&view=intl) ....ahh this shows FULL 3G coverage in Vietnam.

So the question is why the complete difference ?? The UK/International Kindle 3 3g uses a Vodafone sim ( which is normally a negative as their service ( coverage and quality ) in Australia is absolute rubbish ) in it while the US version uses an ATT sim. Is it just that Vodafone has better partnering in Vietnam, though I note that ATT does do international roaming in Vietnam. Is it political ???

Anyone have any thoughts ???

HansTWN · 01-18-2012, 08:15 PM

I have a Kindle DXG from the US, I will give it a try in February, next time I am in Vietnam. It definitely not a political issue (the US and Vietnam are very cozy now), if there is a problem it is just that ATT has the wrong partner. I have a local SIM from Mobiphone, and data coverage in the provinces isn't very good. It starts to fade once you are about 60 km outside of major cities, while voice connections are still there. Neither is Vinaphone, as I know from others.

fidjit · 01-19-2012, 07:14 AM

Political wouldn't make much sense anyways as you'd expect any Kindle not to work. As you say I reckon it's got to do with the telco partnering. Be interested to see how the DXG goes. I had full web access in country where ever I tried it and it certainly helped fill in the time sitting in cars, buses and trains

I didn't even think to have a look and see what network was being used because I wasn't aware of the US Kindle "deadspot".

The 3g has easily paid for itself in a couple of overseas holidays.

We bought 5 prepaid Vinaphone sims for voice and SMS and they worked a treat during the 3 weeks, and MUCH cheaper than international roaming.

01-18-2012, 04:46 PM	#1
fidjit Member Posts: 24 Karma: 3458 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3 3G	Kindle 3 3G in Vietnam While in Vietnam September 2011 on a very long 13 hour train ride, I wrote an article on using the Kindle 3 3G as a travel companion ( http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/09/11/...vel-companion/) Just yesterday I had a comment on my post in regards to usage of the 3g in Vietnam and that other blogs had stated that they had no coverage in Vietnam. Confused as I used it from the south to the north of the country and everywhere in between for full web access. I had a look at the Amazon website and found that the international wireless coverage map (http://client0.cellmaps.com/tabs.html#cellmaps_intl_tab) showed no coverage in Vietnam......WTF !!! Had I slurped too much Pho or had my brain liquefied in the tropical heat ?? After further research I looked at the international wireless coverage map from Amazon UK (http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=2&view=intl) ....ahh this shows FULL 3G coverage in Vietnam. So the question is why the complete difference ?? The UK/International Kindle 3 3g uses a Vodafone sim ( which is normally a negative as their service ( coverage and quality ) in Australia is absolute rubbish ) in it while the US version uses an ATT sim. Is it just that Vodafone has better partnering in Vietnam, though I note that ATT does do international roaming in Vietnam. Is it political ??? Anyone have any thoughts ??? Last edited by fidjit; 01-19-2012 at 06:14 AM.

01-19-2012, 07:14 AM	#3
fidjit Member Posts: 24 Karma: 3458 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3 3G	Political wouldn't make much sense anyways as you'd expect any Kindle not to work. As you say I reckon it's got to do with the telco partnering. Be interested to see how the DXG goes. I had full web access in country where ever I tried it and it certainly helped fill in the time sitting in cars, buses and trains I didn't even think to have a look and see what network was being used because I wasn't aware of the US Kindle "deadspot". The 3g has easily paid for itself in a couple of overseas holidays. We bought 5 prepaid Vinaphone sims for voice and SMS and they worked a treat during the 3 weeks, and MUCH cheaper than international roaming. Last edited by fidjit; 01-19-2012 at 07:32 AM.

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01-18-2012, 08:15 PM	#2
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	I have a Kindle DXG from the US, I will give it a try in February, next time I am in Vietnam. It definitely not a political issue (the US and Vietnam are very cozy now), if there is a problem it is just that ATT has the wrong partner. I have a local SIM from Mobiphone, and data coverage in the provinces isn't very good. It starts to fade once you are about 60 km outside of major cities, while voice connections are still there. Neither is Vinaphone, as I know from others.

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