Kindle DX now available'worldwide' (NZ residents need not apply)

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#288649 10-Jan-2010 12:33

But again, it can't be a licensing issue - you can buy Kindle content with an NZ account. Amazon customer service confirmed that it's not licensing when I asked them (they said it was "warranty and legal limitations" on the device).

Now I really really want to know what that means.

RodDrury

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#288650 10-Jan-2010 12:39

To summarize our crowd-sourced collection of facts:

- US consumers with US account should be able to roam here on the standard AT&T SIM included with the device - so there is no roaming issue
- Subscribers outside of the US do not get pictures over the roaming SIM as it eats into too much margin
- Book content is available here, so there are no issues with the book licensing or content
- Vodafone NZ has announced that Vodafone globally is working with Amazon.

So I would have to conclude that Vodafone is angling for a deal to get a Vodafone or even better local Vodafone SIM in the device (so we can get a full service) and this is holding up the New Zealand deal?

This appears to have halted our access to a value service that other countries enjoy.

If so then I think NZ consumers deserve to hear from Vodafone where they are at and if we can expect access to Kindles in New Zealand.

Kyanar

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#288694 10-Jan-2010 15:59

RodDrury: So I would have to conclude that Vodafone is angling for a deal to get a Vodafone or even better local Vodafone SIM in the device (so we can get a full service) and this is holding up the New Zealand deal?

Interesting conclusion, but I am not sure I agree. Based on the statement that all Kindles actually roam (this makes sense when you think about it - all the countries where whispernet is not available are the ones where AT&T have no roaming agreements).

If this is the case, it's in Vodafone's best interests to not get a VFNZ SIM in the device, as the rates on roaming data are considerably more than those for domestic data. What incentive does Vodafone have to get a domestic SIM inserted?

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#288740 10-Jan-2010 18:02

Kyanar:
Interesting conclusion, but I am not sure I agree. Based on the statement that all Kindles actually roam (this makes sense when you think about it - all the countries where whispernet is not available are the ones where AT&T have no roaming agreements).

Not quite true. AT&T have roaming agreements with countries that have the Kindle and only have a USB option - Fiji is an example of this.

They only provide Whispernet coverge in countries that are part of their Discounted Rate roaming (Data Connect Global). As an example this plan offers 20MB of data for US$24.99 per month.

Fiji is not on this list so has no Whispernet coverage, it's USB only. Fiji's data rates are the regular $0.0195c per KB that apply to non Data Connect Global countries.

RodDrury

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#288746 10-Jan-2010 18:07

All Kindles currently roam. That has to annoy domestic carriers immensely even if they get a small amount of roaming revenue.

Of course they want a local deal with Amazon as they get a clip of the book revenue. If I was a carrier and content was being delivered over my network I'd want the revenue. I'd also want to see new revenue services that wasn't plain old voice and data revenue.

We already know they are trying to get a deal as per link above.

So you haven't convinced me the hypothesis is wrong.

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#288767 10-Jan-2010 19:25

RodDrury: To summarize our crowd-sourced collection of facts:

- US consumers with US account should be able to roam here on the standard AT&T SIM included with the device - so there is no roaming issue
- Subscribers outside of the US do not get pictures over the roaming SIM as it eats into too much margin
- Book content is available here, so there are no issues with the book licensing or content
- Vodafone NZ has announced that Vodafone globally is working with Amazon.

So I would have to conclude that Vodafone is angling for a deal to get a Vodafone or even better local Vodafone SIM in the device (so we can get a full service) and this is holding up the New Zealand deal?

Hasn't Vodafone been saying that since the original kindle was released world wide about 6 months ago?? I'll believe it when I see it..

Regards,

Old3eyes

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sbiddle

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#288772 10-Jan-2010 19:42

I'm not so sure the local SIM option really stacks up.

In theory it would be great - Amazon could then negotiate rates to allow far greater volumes of data to be transferred and let customers enjoy photos and graphics in newspapers and magazines just like they do in the USA.

On the otherhand however a single SIM that can be used anywhere in the world makes things things so much simpler. Right now you can use your Kindle globally anywhere in the world that has Whispernet coverage. If every country that had the Kindle had their own SIM's the global roaming would potentially be such a mess it'd be almost impossible to manage.

Global data roaming rates have falled significantly in recent years. Many operators incl AT&T and a large number of Vodafone Group networks (with the exception of NZ) now offer international data roaming in the ~ NZ$1.50 - $2 per MB range. The real problem there is just no consistancy in data roaming pricing around the world.

RodDrury

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#288856 11-Jan-2010 09:04

In theory it would be great - Amazon could then negotiate rates to allow far greater volumes of data to be transferred and let customers enjoy photos and graphics in newspapers and magazines just like they do in the USA.

Long term it has to get there right, so either

1. Local SIM's and deals with local carriers - which I think they are trying to do, or
2. A single SIM - but higher 'outside of the US' pricing, or
3. A wifi option - which would suit all of us just fine :)

Rod

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#290193 15-Jan-2010 08:53

Hi all,

Vodafone can't comment on the Kindle at this stage.

Sorry about that,

cheers

Paul

Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

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#290194 15-Jan-2010 08:57

Paul is back from holidays!

Anyway, this is different from the initial comments when the Kindle Worldwide was announced first time - something in the lines of "we are working on it" IIRC.

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#290197 15-Jan-2010 09:05

;-)

and as it stands currently, we can't comment at all.

Cheers!

Paul

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Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

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#290203 15-Jan-2010 09:20

It's really a shame we can't get to the bottom of this and get an official comment from anybody involved.

The Kindle does work in NZ - we just can't buy one and get it shipped to NZ using a NZ Amazon account!

RodDrury

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#290215 15-Jan-2010 09:38

A no comment. Progress. Excellent.

Rod

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#290217 15-Jan-2010 09:52

RodDrury: A no comment. Progress. Excellent.

Rod

+1

Better than Telecom.

Morgan French-Stagg

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#290218 15-Jan-2010 09:56

naggyman:
RodDrury: A no comment. Progress. Excellent.

Rod

+1

Better than Telecom.

Vodafone had a comment when the Kindle Worldwide was launched ("We are working on it") and changed it later ("We can't comment on it").

Telecom had a comment when the Kindle Worldwide was launched ("We are looking into it") and had not changed it. I have received a comment from Teecom on the 12th January - just not posted before. Here it is:

"... the only comment we can make at the moment is that we can see the appeal of the Kindle and are looking into our options for a device of this type, there are content considerations also and for this reason it’s too soon to comment further."

These are exactly the same words Rebecca Earl used in reponse to a Computerworld query back in October 2009.

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