By choosing to use the wireless Whispernet technology over Wi-Fi for kindle’s data transmission, did Amazon make the choice? To answer this question, let’s look at each technology in detail.

What is the WiFi Technology?
Wi-Fi, short for Wireless Fidelity, is a term coined to represents a wireless technology designed to improve the inter-operation among computers within a network that cover a small geographic area known as “hot spots.” This technology operates within a set of standards (IEEE 802.11a or 802.11b) which are used to transmit data from an internet connection to a host computer within the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz public spectrum.

Any computer or PDA properly equipped with a wireless receiver in a “hot spot,” can access the data via this Wi-Fi network either for free or for a fee.

The good news about this technology is there are “hot spots” just about everywhere. The bad news is these “hot spots” are normally confined to a very short distance from host located in homes, cafes, coffee shops, libraries, airports and other public places. This means that if you are not in a “hot spot,” more than likely you will not be able to access data via the Wi-Fi network.

What is EVDO Whispernet ?
EVDO, short for Evolution Data Optimized, is a wireless standard designed to provide high speed data transmission using the cellular approach. With this approach, a device can transmit and receive data via the same bandwidth or frequency due to its unique signature assigned by a complex mathematical technique. And, because the demand for bandwidth outweighs the amount available, it provides what seems to be the ideal solution for this kind of problem.

Any properly equipped electronic PDA can receive and transmit data via this network as long as it is in a coverage area.

Now, since Sprint and Verizon are the only two companies to have deployed this technology within the United States, coverage areas are restricted to their network areas.

Thus far, there are no coverage areas in Europe, Asia (except for Korea) and other foreign countries…And that’s the bad news. The good news, however, is that once you are in a coverage area, you are not restricted to “hot spots.” Your device can transmit and receive high-speed data at will.

So, what’s best for Kindle? Well, because of Wi-Fi “hot spot” limitation, the where and when of data transmission is severely affected. More specifically, if you find yourself outside a “hot spot,” you can expect data flow interruption.

The whispernet network, on the other hand, is not restricted by “hot spots,” but, is instead limited by coverage areas. That’s not good for Kindle either. This, however is a different kind of problem. What do I mean?

Well, regardless of which network you choose, Whispernet over Wi-Fi, you will still experience areas of data interruption. Whispernet interruptions, though, are far and few between, while Wi-Fi interruptions can be more frequent due to the short range coverage areas. So, the question is, would you prefer non-interruptions in a small area or non-interruptions in a large area? You make the call.

As for me, I would prefer no interruption, but for now I will take the latter – since there’s nothing better right now. With whispernet, I will at least be able to move about freely with my Kindle on a large “piece” of real estate and not worry about data interruption as opposed to being confined one small geographic area at a time without data interruption. All I would need to do is know where the coverage areas are and act accordingly.

So did Amazon make the right choice? I think they did, what do you think?

Leave a comment and let us know.