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.