Skype launches SMC Wi-Fi Phone Package

While neither of these products are all that new, Skype and Fon hope that when their powers combine, it'll make them more powerful than Optimus Prime. Skype's just announced its "SMC Wi-Fi Phone Package" that merges the SMC WSKP100 handset, Fon's La Fonera router, 500 SkypeOut minutes, and a full year of Skype voicemail, all for $160. That's pretty much a steal right there, given that when sold separately the handset alone would set you back $200. Of course, as of this writing, Skype's site says that the package is out of stock, so maybe if you really want all those items soonish, you might have better luck assembling the pieces on your own. But that sorta defeats the point of the package, now doesn't it?

[TekBoi @ Nov 15th 2006 4:24PM]

I'll be getting one myself, I'll tell you that !

[JL @ Nov 15th 2006 5:02PM]

What about a wifi phone solution that doesn't involve Skype?

Would be nice not to be tied down to one provider...

[OLivier @ Nov 15th 2006 5:04PM]

Does anybody know if the SMC sold through this pack will allow to access any FON router out there? They currently require Browser authentication and none of the Skype WIFI phones have browsers afaik.
Will it be possible to associate a MAC address with one's FON account?
I have already tried using skype with a public FON access point *without* logging in and it doesn't work.

Knowing that Skype is a big investor in Phone, they should allow Skype to register without signing in, that would be very useful.

oh well let's just hope they wake up and leverage their network and allow the Netgear SPH101 to register as well.

[[e-mail] @ Apr 17th 2007 5:10PM]

This is a great idea but is seriously flawed.

The battery life is abysmal, it lasts a day on standby and a few calls. That's a business day, put it on the charge by 6pm to use at 8 the next day.

It locks up from time to time in the middle of the night on the charger. It rings 10 times or about a full minute before going to voicemail with no way to set it shorter. it seems to have a lot of echo on the landline side I am told.

It probably will get better, but the updates are few and far between.

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