Kindle for Christmas in UK?

Having seen success in the US for its Kindle ebook, various mobile trade source, including Mobile Today and The Register report Amazon is now said to be in final negotiations with a UK mobile operator concerning an MVNO launch.

The company is apparently looking to complete the MVNO deal in time to have Kindle working on a W-CDMA-based cellular network in time for the build-up to Christmas.

The European Kindle device will follow the US model of being able to download publications via the PC and Wi-Fi, but Amazon also wants the Kindle to have 3G W-CDMA connectivity - as is the case in the US except the device has been designed to use CDMA technology.

The company has apparently so far been unable to find a UK operator prepared to host the Kindle's unique Whispernet connections, a data-only service which supports the download of electronic magazines - which could include comics - and books to the Kindle device in a manner that is transparent to the user.

It seems unlikely that Vodafone - which has launched its own version of the Kindle in Germany - or Orange will be Amazon's UK partner (the latter network working on an ebook in its domestic French market).