Skype and 3 team up for mobile internet phone

Details are pretty light on this one, but Reuters is now reporting that Skype and UK cellphone operator 3 are currently working on a new handset that promises to "make Internet calls mobile." According to Reuters, the phone is expected to "work in the normal way," but also include an option to let users bypass all those hefty cellphone charges and contact other Skype users directly in order to save a few bucks. We assume that means Skype will operate over 3G data, although that's yet to be confirmed by either party. We should know more soon enough, however, as the handset is apparently on track to be released before the end of the year.

[cmc @ Oct 12th 2007 1:36PM]

Buh??

3 already have Skype (and Sling/Orbo, Windows Live Messenger, Ebay, Yahoo Mail etc) on their X-Series handset which is currently a Nokia E65.

http://three.co.uk/xseries/what_is_x_series.omp

[Derry Quinn @ Oct 12th 2007 4:40PM]

Yeah, NOT NEW! Jees engadget, whats with all the old news?

[nik @ Oct 12th 2007 1:42PM]

You can do this in any 3 network around the globe allready with a variety of handsets from nokia. you have to sign up for x-series with a n95, n73, e65....

the skype program they use isn't actually from skype but you can do everything skype does.

[PhilJ @ Oct 12th 2007 1:54PM]

"According to Reuters, the phone is expected to "work in the normal way," but also include an option to let users bypass all those hefty cellphone charges and contact other Skype users directly in order to save a few bucks."

Doesn't this sound like:

"You can call any phone you like, and use your standard minutes/cost. However, you can call someone who is also a customer of the same cell operator as you, and the calls are free!"

Isn't this another In Network / Family&Friends / Faves / etc. deal? Or am I missing the boat?

[McGinley @ Oct 12th 2007 1:59PM]

You're missing the boat.

[PhilJ @ Oct 12th 2007 2:33PM]

Aha, I did re-read the article, and I originally read "in the normal way" to mean via cell towers, etc. I'm assuming now they mean "like a normal phone with number buttons and stuff". It's always doing VoIP calls. Got it, got it.

Thanks for the help McGinley!

[Mark @ Oct 12th 2007 1:55PM]

While its true there are many phones that can do this, your Terms of Service agreement strictly prohibits you from using your 3G service or even GPRS for VoIP applications.

Of course, they don't monitor your data so you can get away with it, but I think its a step in the right direction.

With WiMAX coming over the hill, traditional cell phones should disappear and pave the way for an all internet based communication system with "cellular" phones simply becoming mobile access points to WAN internet and allowing VoIP applications to run.

This is how things should be, but I doubt anybody at AT&T or Verizon thinks this far ahead.

[Steve @ Oct 12th 2007 2:04PM]

This has been available for months! I used Skype on my N73 from Australia to call back to the UK for free.

[David Hackett @ Oct 12th 2007 2:04PM]

This is nothing new...I have a moto Q with sprint, and I can run skype on the phone with no problem over EVDO.

[David Carrington @ Oct 12th 2007 2:08PM]

How does this compare to me already being able to make Skype calls on my Pocket PC over wifi?

[Finlay Dobbie @ Oct 12th 2007 2:09PM]

There has been Skype calling on X-Series for the best part of a year, but they're now offering some minutes with their mix'n'match voice tariffs, without having to buy the X-Series add-on.

The implementation is a branded version of iSkoot, which uses packet data for handshaking but proxies the calls over a voice channel to a gateway sitting on the PSTN.

[jilie @ Oct 12th 2007 2:10PM]

"a new handset that promises to "make Internet calls mobile." According to Reuters, the phone is expected to "work in the normal way," but also include an option to let users bypass all those hefty cellphone charges and contact other Skype users directly in order to save a few bucks. "
Skype and Fring for WindowsMobile phones can do that whitout waiting the end of the year

[Steve @ Oct 12th 2007 2:16PM]

"How does this compare to me already being able to make Skype calls on my Pocket PC over wifi?"

Come stand next to me in the middle of a field where I can get a nice 3G signal and you have no wifi. I can call for free on Skype, what can you do... ;)

[CT A @ Oct 12th 2007 2:21PM]

None of you read the article or understood what it was saying. Skype and 3 are teaming up to PRODUCE a standalone skype cellphone. Not a Motorola Q w/ Skype software on it.

[randy @ Oct 12th 2007 2:22PM]

LOL! Um, no it hasn't. Look around, do you see ANYBODY using Skype, let alone VoIP? If anything, more and more people are using their CELL PHONES at work to communicate (using them places where they formerly didn't).

Go log on to Skype right now, and tell me how many of your contacts are on green on Skype.

In reality, at any given hour of the day, there's less than a 3% chance you'll see ANYBODY green on there. LOL, and what are the chances of that one lone green person being the particular individual you need to contact? Infinitesimal.

[Andy Merrett @ Oct 15th 2007 10:47AM]

"Go log on to Skype right now, and tell me how many of your contacts are on green on Skype."

About 60%, actually.

[Chrisphillers @ Oct 12th 2007 2:24PM]

Not really news, I have been using Skype on my N95 since it came out in April/May. Combine it with the 3.5G connection, its as good as a normal telephone call...except free.

[Derry Quinn @ Oct 12th 2007 4:47PM]

On 3? I thought 3 didn't do the N95!!!
*Runs downtown to nearest 3 Store*

[Chrisphillers @ Oct 12th 2007 5:06PM]

On Tmobile Web and Walk, sorry not 3:)

[razor @ Oct 12th 2007 2:40PM]

F*ck 3 and everything it stands for. All they care about is getting football on your mobile, and Ive yet to meet a human being that uses it. Want cheap reliable service? Tough luck. Want to watch pointless expensive movies on your mobile screen no bigger than a stamp? sign up!

[cmc @ Oct 12th 2007 3:07PM]

My 3 service is cheap (100 minutes an 1000 texts for £20 a month with a £2.50 p/m 10MB internet add-on) and very reliable.

You don't have to sign up for the football service either (I don't)

Stop complaining for no reason =)

[Derry Quinn @ Oct 12th 2007 4:46PM]

I use 3Ireland and get 5c text, picture and video messages to any other network in Ireland. Calls are half of what I payed on Vodafone and Landlines are the same as calls to other 3 customers, not other networks.

I get (up to)3.6mb/s internet in 85% of the country and regular 3G in 99.9%, so f*uck you and everything you stand for. I couldn't be without Hutchison Wampoa 3 Communications Ireland, or my V3xx

BTW Welcome to our Network!

[dj-kenpo @ Oct 12th 2007 2:58PM]

Randy, I'm afraid I can't take your comment seriously due to your use of the letters 'LOL'.

'LOL I'm like so totally into gadgets.. oh my gawd'.

soryr to be an ass, I'm just tired of the valley girl invasion on the internet.

[Kurtis @ Oct 12th 2007 3:30PM]

@Randy

8 of my skype contacts are online right now and I have 12 total. That's 67%. You lose.

[Mike @ Oct 12th 2007 4:29PM]

Thank you. I use Skype all of the time. My business associates do as well.

[randy @ Oct 12th 2007 5:02PM]

200,000,000 user registrations worldwide since Skype launch.
7,009,107 users online right now.

7/200 = ?

Equals 3.5%. Everybody Loses.

[phed @ Oct 12th 2007 5:43PM]

Hey there...
Well guys just for confirmation check here: http://www.3xseries.it !!!

I live in italy, I'm a student, and ex-"3" intern and i'm a "3" user.
In italy the X-series services were launched several months ago...
I use a LG U970 shine and i can use Skype as well as MSN and other few apps.

Prices are quite OK, being this a very new service...
wish a nice weekend to you all.
ciao

[fadedhalo @ Oct 12th 2007 7:38PM]

I had this on 3 for the last year
i ditched it cos the service is so sketchy.

skype just drops in and out when it likes without warning. even when you have full signal you can sit there logged into skype on your computer and watch your phone come online and offline all day long.

the batteries on the phones arent up to using 3g all day long. if you stay logged in on skype and email all day and travel about, you can guarantee that the phone wont last till the end of the day.

3's technical service is a pile of wank. the chances of dining anyone who knows what the hell is going in is a joke.

my contract is up at the end of next month and then im done with 3.

nice try but sadly very poorly executed.

[Nick Brickett @ Oct 13th 2007 6:59AM]

Hi, 3 employee here.

Reuters are a little behind on this one.. at the start of this month we started offering free (as in beer) skype calls (as well as Windows Live Messenger) on all handsets that support the VOIP Calling. This means if you buy an X-Series handset, such as an N95, E65, N73, etc - then you get free Skype calling :)

Pretty nifty if I do say so myself.

[polar @ Oct 15th 2007 11:45AM]

But I cannot use SkypeOut and SkypeIn for this service, right?

If we can only call another skpe account, I think it would limit the function of Skype.

It is just my personal opinion. ^_^

[mohammad @ Oct 24th 2007 3:04AM]

Hi baby

[Jakob @ Oct 26th 2007 11:34AM]

Hmmm.. '3'Denmark is offering X-series for about 52€/month, and includes:
-20 TV channels (unlimtied)
-Free Windows Live (Messenger etc)
-Slingplayer and Orb
-Skype

For an additonal 13€ you can get unlimited internet. From 512Kbps up to 7,2 Mbit.

I don't think 3's prices sucks, maybe the service does?

[shan @ Jul 15th 2008 5:48AM]

Skype is the good techniq for the online chating and transfor data, also 3 Mobile Phones working with this type.

[amit @ Jul 17th 2008 2:56AM]

Skype is best medium to talk over internet.like Skype VoIPis very useful in Skype.

[david @ Jul 17th 2008 3:00AM]

skype is used for communication over the internet. VoIP is very useful to skype.

[amit @ Jul 17th 2008 3:06AM]

Skype is best medium to talk over internet.like Skype VoIP is very useful in Skype.

[amit @ Jul 17th 2008 3:08AM]

Skype is best medium for communication over the internet.like Skype youTring is also used for make free calls.