Verizon or AT&T for ebook Readers?

wallcraft · 04-01-2009, 07:07 PM

From Yahoo! Tech News, Verizon Wireless sees Kindle-type e-readers coming:

Quote:

Tony Lewis, who heads an initiative within Verizon Wireless to provide access to non-phone devices, said Wednesday that five companies have approached Verizon about wireless connections for e-readers.

Quote:

AT&T Inc., the second largest wireless carrier after Verizon Wireless, has also hinted that it's been talking to e-reader manufacturers.

This would be data service over the cell phone network in the US, not WiFi. Five companies sounds like a lot, unless some are newspapers which might only want regional service.

lilac_jive · 04-01-2009, 07:09 PM

I wonder who they were...

vivaldirules · 04-01-2009, 07:55 PM

That's interesting news, Wallcraft. Thank you. Wouldn't you think that one of these is likely Sony (I hope so)?

Seabound · 04-01-2009, 08:21 PM

Let it not be AT&T. I've had terrible experience with them.

wallcraft · 04-01-2009, 08:27 PM

Paul Biba at Teleread (More connected e-book readers on the way) emphasized that the AT&T network is more compatible with international use. This might be of particular interest to Sony.

Seabound · 04-01-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Paul Biba at Teleread (More connected e-book readers on the way) emphasized that the AT&T network is more compatible with international use. This might be of particular interest to Sony.

Oh yuck. Ebook readers all over the world at the mercy of AT&T. I cringe at the thought.

RickyMaveety · 04-01-2009, 08:33 PM

I've been with AT&T for probably 20 years and have had no problems. I've got an iPhone currently, with the Kindle App on it. I'm finding it very convenient to be able to access the books I am reading on my Kindles on my iPhone as well. Although, reading on the phone is not my optimal choice.

searcher · 04-02-2009, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Paul Biba at Teleread (More connected e-book readers on the way) emphasized that the AT&T network is more compatible with international use. This might be of particular interest to Sony.

Verizon and AT&T will go with Readius. Thats for sure. Readius is primary designed for mobile carriers.

http://ereadgizmo.com/gadgets/verizo...obably-readius

HarryT · 04-02-2009, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seabound

Oh yuck. Ebook readers all over the world at the mercy of AT&T. I cringe at the thought.

They wouldn't be "at the mercy of AT&T". The previous poster means that a GSM-enabled device, provided it operates on all 4 main GSM frequencies (as most modern phones do) can be used world-wide. In each country, however, one would require an agreement for data traffic with a local telecoms operator; the difficulty in doing this is almost certainly what is delaying the international launch of the Kindle.

Seabound · 04-02-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

They wouldn't be "at the mercy of AT&T". The previous poster means that a GSM-enabled device, provided it operates on all 4 main GSM frequencies (as most modern phones do) can be used world-wide. In each country, however, one would require an agreement for data traffic with a local telecoms operator; the difficulty in doing this is almost certainly what is delaying the international launch of the Kindle.

Thanks for the clarification. So it would only be those in the US who would be at the mercy of AT&T. It would be interesting to know what kind of pricing/contracting and international roaming scheme future eBook reader manufacturers and wireless carriers will come up with.

HarryT · 04-02-2009, 05:11 AM

Unfortunately, "roaming" agreements for data (as many in Europe have discovered to their cost) can be extremely expensive - typically over $1/MB. That's why these companies really need to make specific agreements with local operators.

rhadin · 04-02-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seabound

Let it not be AT&T. I've had terrible experience with them.

If it is Verizon, then the same problem that the Kindle faces will be faced by the new devices -- U.S. only. Like Sprint, Verizon is CDMA whereas AT&T is GSM. Going with AT&T would mean worldwide potential. And, FWIW, I've had Cingular/AT&T for years without a problem (for cell phone service; I've never used it for anything else).

grooks · 04-02-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

Wouldn't you think that one of these is likely Sony (I hope so)?

Sony has already signed up with a major U.S. Carrier. I had received information from a friend who works at one of the service providers, but am not at liberty to reveal which cell provider Sony is linked to.

vivaldirules · 04-02-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooks

Sony has already signed up with a major U.S. Carrier. I had received information from a friend who works at one of the service providers, but am not at liberty to reveal which cell provider Sony is linked to.

Well, that's good news! I mean, in the sense that that means that Sony plans to provide wireless support sometime in the future. Well, it's news to mean, anyway.

HarryT · 04-02-2009, 11:54 AM

I really hope they don't go for CDMA.

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04-01-2009, 07:09 PM	#2
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I wonder who they were...

04-01-2009, 07:55 PM	#3
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	That's interesting news, Wallcraft. Thank you. Wouldn't you think that one of these is likely Sony (I hope so)?

04-01-2009, 08:21 PM	#4
Seabound Steerage Class Posts: 711 Karma: 505995 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest, USA Device: Won't fit here anymore, see sig for a list of liseuses.	Let it not be AT&T. I've had terrible experience with them.

04-01-2009, 08:27 PM	#5
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Paul Biba at Teleread (More connected e-book readers on the way) emphasized that the AT&T network is more compatible with international use. This might be of particular interest to Sony.

04-01-2009, 08:33 PM	#7
RickyMaveety Holy S**T!!! Posts: 5,213 Karma: 108401 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, California!! Device: Kindle and iPad	I've been with AT&T for probably 20 years and have had no problems. I've got an iPhone currently, with the Kindle App on it. I'm finding it very convenient to be able to access the books I am reading on my Kindles on my iPhone as well. Although, reading on the phone is not my optimal choice.

04-02-2009, 05:11 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Unfortunately, "roaming" agreements for data (as many in Europe have discovered to their cost) can be extremely expensive - typically over $1/MB. That's why these companies really need to make specific agreements with local operators.

04-02-2009, 11:54 AM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I really hope they don't go for CDMA.

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