3G PlayStation Vita May Be Delayed in Canada

[Andy Chalk]

3G PlayStation Vita May Be Delayed in Canada

An ugly, ice-encrusted rumor making the rounds claims that the 3G version of the PlayStation Vita will be delayed in Canada because of issues with Sony's "3G partner."

The PlayStation Vita is slated to come out in February 2012 but in Canada, gamers who want the 3G version of Sony's new handheld may have to wait. The Wi-Fi version is still on schedule but the 3G device, which allows owners to go online anywhere, has reportedly been pushed back a couple of months "due to extensive planning and testing with [Sony's] 3G partner."

A message posted on GameFAQs [http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/620272-playstation-vita/61331761] claims that EB Games is now sending out messages to people who have preordered the PS Vita 3G, telling them that it will not be available for the scheduled launch date and advising them to switch to the Wi-Fi model instead. "Sony has every intention of shipping the 3G version of the PS Vita, but later in 2012."

EB Games sources have also told Kotaku [http://kotaku.com/5868297/3g-playstation-vita-delayed-in-canada] that their systems now have the device tagged with an April release date, although that could be just a placeholder - implying that an even longer wait may lay ahead.

Specific reasons for the delay aren't known and probably never will be, but it's speculated that the problem relates to negotiating a price point with its 3G partner, presumed but not known to be Rogers [http://www.rogers.com], that keeps everybody happy. Given the tightly-capped nature of wireless data in Canada, that could take some doing.


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[Otaku World Order]

Could be Rogers. Could be Bell.

I was planning on getting the Wi-Fi version anyway, so this isn't a big deal for me.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Oh what a surprise, something being delayed for launch in Canada.

 

[SachielOne]

Tightly capped is putting it mildly. A plan with a 6 GB cap typically costs around $100 per month up here.

 

[Formica Archonis]

Canada missing the boat on new technology? I'm so very shocked. [http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/6101/125/]

(Link leads to an essay of sorts: "Why Isn't YouTube Canadian? (Michael Geist's) Appearance Before the Industry Committee".)

 

[-Dragmire-]

At least it's not a translation issue again.


I remember PS2 releases being delayed because they needed bilingual manuals for some strictly english games... been a while since I'd heard that though, it might have just been a rumor.

 

[-Seraph-]

Not a big surprise to most Canadians such as myself and others, but then again I am sure most will settle with the Wi-fi only model anyways.

Doesn't impact me one bit as I got my First Edition bundle pre-ordered.

 

[Zom-B]

While the benefits of 3g are obvious, I think the prevalence of wifi signals and the fact that many of us have smartphones means that the 3g Vitas will probably not sell as well as the wifi only version. If there was no or very little price difference, I'm sure most of us would grab the 3g just for the convenience. However, with the way data plans start gouging you once you go over your limit or incur roaming charges, I have no desire to have a 3g Vita. Truth be told, the only times I'm going to need to be online are most likely when I'm at home or on a trip and most hotels have free wifi anyway. I can't really foresee a scenario where I'm going to need the 3g connectivity anyway.

And truth be told, since my phone and many others can be wifi hotspots anyway, what's teh point?

 

[Waaghpowa]

I can just create a wireless hotspot with my Galaxy S2 if I'm that desperate to get online with my Vita. No way I'm paying another plan for the 3G.

 

[Weaver]

The 3G version will cost like $10,000 if they want to use a Canadian provider.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

You could always take it in turns on deadmau5' you know!

Jokes aside, surely Sony or EB should set up 3G networks, bypassing any need for mobile 3G if that is the problem.

 

[Zer_]

3G PlayStation Vita May Be Delayed in Canada

An ugly, ice-encrusted rumor making the rounds claims that the 3G version of the PlayStation Vita will be delayed in Canada because of issues with Sony's "3G partner."

The PlayStation Vita is slated to come out in February 2012 but in Canada, gamers who want the 3G version of Sony's new handheld may have to wait. The Wi-Fi version is still on schedule but the 3G device, which allows owners to go online anywhere, has reportedly been pushed back a couple of months "due to extensive planning and testing with [Sony's] 3G partner."

A message posted on GameFAQs [http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/620272-playstation-vita/61331761] claims that EB Games is now sending out messages to people who have preordered the PS Vita 3G, telling them that it will not be available for the scheduled launch date and advising them to switch to the Wi-Fi model instead. "Sony has every intention of shipping the 3G version of the PS Vita, but later in 2012."

EB Games sources have also told Kotaku [http://kotaku.com/5868297/3g-playstation-vita-delayed-in-canada] that their systems now have the device tagged with an April release date, although that could be just a placeholder - implying that an even longer wait may lay ahead.

Specific reasons for the delay aren't known and probably never will be, but it's speculated that the problem relates to negotiating a price point with its 3G partner, presumed but not known to be Rogers [http://www.rogers.com], that keeps everybody happy. Given the tightly-capped nature of wireless data in Canada, that could take some doing.


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Fuck our phone companies, and fuck our ISPs. They are all scum.

At least it's not a translation issue again.


I remember PS2 releases being delayed because they needed bilingual manuals for some strictly english games... been a while since I'd heard that though, it might have just been a rumor.

Wouldn't surprise me. Quebec's language laws piss me off.