Sony taps AT&T’s 3G network for Daily Edition eReader

The eReader market is heating up. Amazon has already proven that eReaders, like the Kindle, can be big business – especially when powered by a wireless connection that allows the user to download eBooks directly to the device. And Sony is gunning for a slice of the pie. To that end, Sony has today announced a trio of new eReaders that should give Amazon a run for its money – the most intriguing of which is the 3G-capable Sony Daily Edition. Sony has announced that it will use AT&T (NYSE: T)’s 3G network to keep its fleet of Daily Edition eReaders wirelessly connected to its eBook store.

The partnership will have AT&T serving least two distinct eReader devices with 3G wireless technology that will allow each device to download eBooks over-the-air. AT&T recently announced that it would be keeping the Plastic Logic’s eReader connected through a 3G wireless connection. Like Sprint (NYSE: S)’s agreement to keep the Kindle connected to Amazon’s eBook store through the Whispernet 3G system, AT&T will share revenues from eBook purchases with Sony.

AT&T is giving Sprint some competition as the 3G network of choice for connected devices. How that will affect the No. 2 US carrier’s ability to provide reliable 3G service to mobile phone users (like iPhone users) remains to be seen.

[Via: MocoNews]