Nokia irks UK carriers with decision to include Skype on N97
By Donald Melanson 
posted February 27th 2009 5:02PM
posted February 27th 2009 5:02PM
Nokia made plenty of folks happy with its decision to include Skype on its new N97 handset, and future N-series devices, but it looks like the usual cadre of UK carriers aren't among them, and they're now making their displeasure quite clear. That includes O2 and Orange, who are apparently threatening to refuse stock of the N97 unless Nokia strips out the Skype client, a point they have reportedly made directly to Nokia in "high-level discussions." Another unnamed "operator source" was apparently even more blunt, saying that this is "another example of them trying to build an ecosystem that is all about Nokia and reduces the operator to a dumb pipe," adding that, "some people like 3 may be in a position where it could make sense to accept that. But if you spend upwards of £40m per year building your brand, you don't want to be just a dumb pipe do you?" For its part, Nokia seems to be staying mum on the matter for the time being, though it's tough to see a handset like the N97 just sitting on the shelf, so it seems like one party or the other will have to give sooner or later.[Via mocoNews.net]
@Lloytron
More likely he's a true Apple hater trying to make all the fanboys look like shite.
"Dumb pipes" is one of the most humorous descriptions I've heard to describe telcos. I'm quite enjoying it.
Carry on :)
And dumb-pipes is all they should be, the features telcos add to phones are rarely if never worth it for the tradeoff of them taking out software they don't like. We don't want telcos branding phones and modifying the OS because they're no good at it because it's not their specialty - their specialty is selling phones and acting as a dumb-pipe now stick with what you know.
Using Vopium.com client on nokia e71 and its pretty cheap, Mobile backup feature is handy!!
this isn't like anti-trust or anything, noooooo....
Skype, as one kind of chatting software, it becomes more and more popular among people.
More and more people always think that how to make skype use better and better.Such as
Skype on new N97 handset and future N-series devices, skype mouse,etc. What is Skype Mouse? Welcome to visit online shop www.favordeals.com to get more information about Skype mouse.
I don't need skype at the moment. my E71 is enough for me
Someday when i get to abroad, it may be useful.