New Skype apps for the iPhone and Symbian which allow users to bypass traditional mobile networks have been given the thumbs up.

So far Skype apps for mobiles have been limited in that they could only make calls when the user is in a WiFi hotspot. Skype's vice-president and general manager of mobile, Russ Shaw has released apps that enable the Skype Out functionality over 3G. It makes it possible to have cheap international and local calls can be made from wherever there is 3G coverage.

You would think that with news like this, the mobile phone companies would be wetting themselves but according to the Apple Insider they are falling over themselves to sign up to the scheme. Skype announced that Verizon customers with 3G data plans could from March make unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls and call international numbers at Skype Out rates. 3 has already partnered with the company to offer Skype apps to its customers in Britain.

Skype is planning an app that brings the Skype Out calling over 3G feature to iPhones and versions for BlackBerry and Android will follow. Shaw said 3 actually made more money after allowing Skype as it created a unique selling point for the network.  Punters who used Skype for voice were more likely to consume much more data.