According to Wednesday's email to customers, Amazon's Kindle ereaders with built in 3G will lose their ability to connect to US internet in December. This is because mobile carriers are switching from older 2G/3G networking technology to more advanced 4G/5G networks. This could lead to older Kindles not being able to connect to the internet.As Good e–Reader noted in June, 4G support on newer Kindle devices should be fine. However, older devices such as the Kindle Touch (3rd generation), Kindle Paperwhite (4th and 5th generation), Kindle Paperwhite (6th, 7th and 7th generation), Kindle Voyage (7th Generation), and Kindle Oasis 8th generation) will only support Wi-Fi. Amazon emphasized that these devices can still access the content they have already downloaded, but you won't be able download new books from Amazon's Kindle Store unless you do it over Wi-Fi. Below is Amazon's email to customers:For Amazon's older Kindles like the Kindle (1st generation and 2nd generation) and the Kindle DX (2nd Generation), things get more complicated. Because those devices were dependent on only 2G and 3G internet connectivity, it will be difficult to transfer new content to your device once these networks are down. Amazon offers a $50 promotional credit (NEWKINDLE50), which can be used to purchase a new Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis or Kindle Paperwhite, and $15 in-store credit for ebooks.Although Amazon could certainly do more (perhaps replacing all older devices), this issue is not in their control. All three carriers have set different dates for when their older 2G or 3G networks will cease to function. AT&T has committed to February 22nd, 2022; T-Mobile is slated for April 2022; and Verizon, December 31st 2022.These factors are taken into consideration, so Amazon's December date seems premature. However, it is better to prepare now than be left with an ineffective e-reader later in the year.
