Vodafone UK has announced that it will be providing the 3G connectivity for Amazon's revamped Kindle e-reader.
The company said that the 3G connection would be enabled by Amazon's Whispernet technology, with no monthly fee, contracts or data plans. However, Vodafone confirmed that the connection costs would be accounted for in the price of the books downloaded from the Amazon store.
The new Kindle, which Amazon claims is smaller, lighter, has an improved display and longer battery life, will be available next month for £109 with Wi-Fi support. The version that supports both 3G and Wi-Fi will cost £149.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, said, "Kindle has been the bestselling product on Amazon for two years running. We lowered the price to US$189 and sales tripled. Now we're excited to introduce a new-generation Kindle that's smaller, lighter and faster, with 50 per cent better contrast."
Elsewhere, Vodafone has also unveiled an MVNO deal with the telecoms provider TalkTalk to target its 4.2 million fixed broadband customer base with mobile services.
TalkTalk, which recently demerged from Carphone Warehouse, said it planned to add contract mobile voice and data tariffs to its portfolio within the next few months.
Charles Dunstone, TalkTalk's group chairman, said its customers had told the company that they expected the same value from their mobile services that they'd come to expect from their home phone and broadband. "So, that's what we intend to provide," he said. "We've chosen Vodafone as our network partner as they have a proven network and a track record of success with their MVNOs."
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