Verizon to allow unlimited Skype calling over 3G starting next month

We may be way off base here, but we're pretty sure the game just got upended. Days after AT&T appeased the masses by finally enabling 3G streaming over the iPhone's SlingPlayer app, Verizon Wireless has delivered some big gargantuan news of its own. Starting next month, all Verizon Wireless customers with smartphones (and an accompanying data plan) will be able to make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any user in the world over its 3G network, which is something that AT&T users have been able to do since last autumn. Let us repeat that: VZW, which is known historically as one of the most controlling carriers in this great nation, is opening up its 3G network for limitless Skype calling. The forthcoming Skype Mobile application will also support Skype Out calling, instant messaging between Skype users and an ability to "remain always connected... to see friends' online presence." Nine smartphones will be compatible at launch (the full list is after the break), and we're guessing that more will be added in due time. Giddy yet?

Initially, Skype mobile will be available on millions of best-selling Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones with data plans, including:

• BlackBerry Storm 9530
• BlackBerry Storm2
  
• BlackBerry Curve 8330
  
• BlackBerry Curve 8530
  
• BlackBerry Curve 8830 World Edition
  
• BlackBerry Tour 9630
  
• Motorola Droid
  
• HTC Droid Eris
  
• Motorola Devour

[zephxiii Posted Feb 16th 2010 12:28PM]

@MRCUR I've ran skype over 3g on AT&T on windows mobile 6 months ago.

[efripp Posted Feb 16th 2010 12:29PM]

I have been able to use Skype with my smart phone for a LONG time. Skype for Windows Mobile works like a champ on Verizon Wireless! Am I missing something? No matter with WM phone I've had, I've always used it. Maybe it's because I never run a stock ROM. Using SSK 3.0v2. Does that make a difference?

[palomosan Posted Feb 16th 2010 12:31PM]

Nice, now I can drop my calling plan to the Minimum and just keep the Data, U Text.

That's like mobile to mobile x50.

[bluemajik Posted Feb 16th 2010 12:37PM]

WIN

[NameIsDavid Posted Feb 16th 2010 12:39PM]

No difference from what AT&T did a month ago, reported right here:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-lifts-voip-over-cellular-restrictions-in-new-iphone-sdk/

The only thing new here is the strategic product-placement relationship. You still need a voice and data plan, so no price or implementation advantages over, say, Skype on iPhone (the 3G version of which is already announced and will be out before this new Verizon arrangement goes into effect).

[Hellozepp04 Posted Feb 16th 2010 12:47PM]

What about the Palm Pre Plus?

[NameIsDavid Posted Feb 16th 2010 1:00PM]

Interestingly, Skype has said for months that they had a 3G-enabled version of the iPhone app ready to go the moment AT&T released its restrictions. AT&T did so a month ago and Skype has since changed its story to state that they are delaying release in order to give us an even better app with new audio codecs that improve quality. This is the same company that promised push capabilities in the app for almost a year now and still has not delivered. It's looking a bit like some of these capabilities were delayed not for the reasons stated but as part of this deal, in order to make sure the deal got the proper amount of promotional press. This means that Skype is counting a lot on the deal to increase the number of users dramatically ... not necessarily due to the number of phones out there on Verizon alone but for the amount of marketing that Verizon will be able to put behind it.

[healeroliver Posted Feb 16th 2010 10:22PM]

@NameIsDavid I already use skype on my iPod touch. Works great.

[reded2323 Posted Feb 16th 2010 1:07PM]

errrrrr......OLD NEWS...I've been using Skype mobile on my Verizon Omnia for a year now........

[gauchoamigo Posted Feb 16th 2010 1:12PM]

Eat my shorts, folks.

[Brian Posted Feb 16th 2010 1:44PM]

How about Skype just for Adroid and the BB OS instead of being specifically only on Verizon phones? I wonder if they paid off Skype for this.

[pika2000 Posted Feb 16th 2010 2:29PM]

Well, considering it's just data, this should've been okay from the get go.

[johdaxx Posted Feb 16th 2010 3:21PM]

So, I'm curious, does it seem like that would allow a user to do a number of things while on a phone call, killing ATT's 'can't talk and surf at the same time on Verizon' battle cry?

It might also point to their plans for implementing LTE...maybe they won't even have voice anymore eventually... Watch for Verizon to buy Skype. ;)

[Suzuku Posted Feb 16th 2010 3:58PM]

So? I'm I still forced to pay for voice and texting plan, which are the biggest rip offs of a business practice ever. -_-

[maxnix Posted Feb 16th 2010 4:06PM]

There is no news here.

Users with data plan have been doing it since Skype was available on WM5.

Snore.

[MJ Posted Feb 16th 2010 4:22PM]

http://www.skype.com/mobile/reminder/

Skype and Verizon Wireless are set to launch a new service, Skype mobile™ that enables customers to use Skype on a variety of best-selling Verizon Wireless BlackBerry® and Android™ 3G Smartphones.

In addition to free Skype-to-Skype global calling and low rates to international landlines and cell phones, Skype will be ‘always on’, meaning customers can receive Skype calls, instant messages and see friends’ presence anytime. And,

Skype usage won’t be charged against customers’ monthly Verizon Wireless data plans or minute allowances.

[Valicore Posted Feb 16th 2010 5:01PM]

Hey, if it is going on the Droid and Devour then there will be a good Android app that I would think will be compatible with no VZW phones, lets hope!

[drtrmiller Posted Feb 16th 2010 5:04PM]

I've been Skyping on VZW 3G since forever. I don't understand how this is news. Problem is, quality sucks on handsets because of the CPU limitations--tether to a PC for Skype calling and the delay and dropped calls become almost tolerable.

[boli99 Posted Feb 16th 2010 5:17PM]

this is awesome.

[jasev01 Posted Feb 16th 2010 5:36PM]

damn I just cancelled my skype subscription

[acme64 Posted Feb 16th 2010 6:42PM]

i don't understand, couldn't you already do this? i had skype on my touch pro but i hardly used it. that was sprint though.....what am i missing?

[jayminho Posted Feb 16th 2010 7:40PM]

What are he news in here ?! Skype to skype is already Allowed on on pc calls , plus , they make it vey clear all you need is unlimited data plant , so they title itself is contraditory , last but not least , any idiot with least grey brain mass can unlock a smartphone(iPhone?) and make it 3g available sign up for a skype account and call your friends "for free". NOTE skype to skype - that's what the article says and not skype out free calls - brown journalism!!!

[maxxo1 Posted Feb 16th 2010 9:06PM]

I too think this is groundbreaking. One thing to consider is the quality of the calls over 3G. I use Skype on my iPod Touch and the Sprint Overdrive wifi mobile hotspot. At 3G speeds the connection is choppy. 4G and Wifi are fantastic...Skype's new unlimited calling deals are amazingly affordable -

[healeroliver Posted Feb 16th 2010 10:17PM]

Something is wrong here. I have Verizon 3g service and currently us skype for voice calls. I have a 3g PC card in a Kyocera KR2 router and an iPod touch. Works great.

[healeroliver Posted Feb 16th 2010 10:20PM]

In addition, I make skype to to landline calls as well on this configuration.

[AshDOG Posted Feb 16th 2010 10:32PM]

Now they just need to release Skype on the Palm Pre!

[dmb0091 Posted Feb 17th 2010 12:35AM]

how does skype work without the use of a front end camera? Thanks, Danny

[Craig Trover Posted Feb 17th 2010 2:01AM]

Thi is great news. When can we hope for video streaming capabilities? We are so far behind other countries in the bandwidth department, it is often disapointing.

[actuatedbubble Posted Feb 17th 2010 6:10AM]

I've been using Skype free and clear with my Windows Mobile phones on Vzw's 3G network for a couple years. I guess all I can say is...welcome to my world. :l

[Godric121 Posted Feb 17th 2010 9:40AM]

Thanks Verizon :)

[Johnny Rockets Posted Feb 17th 2010 5:12PM]

Gizmodo article says you CAN'T make Skype out calls to USA cell phones / land lines.

Is that true??

If so, MAJOR FAIL

[NameIsDavid Posted Feb 18th 2010 12:15AM]

From the NY Times: only Skype-to-Skype and international will be unrestricted. Any domestic call to a landline will have the minutes deducted from the voice plan. Also, must be on one of the 9 supported phones. Can't just download a Skype client for an unsupported phone.

[jordanschaffel Posted Feb 18th 2010 1:24PM]

Here's a short Explanatory Video that explains it quite nicely. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhBfA2rkZvM

[q4norm Posted Feb 22nd 2010 10:42AM]

What I really, really want on my droid's skype app is this: the ability to make skype out calls over wifi with no cell connection whatsoever. And I can promise you I'm not the only one clamoring for this feature.

Will this update give us that???

[Justin Goldbegr Posted Mar 11th 2010 2:22PM]

I look forward to the day when the wireless spectrum is freely distributed like telephones lines with common carrier access. Or being allowed to run any application on any device is required by law.

[juniorbennett Posted Apr 21st 2010 4:12PM]

Does anyone see a BIG problem with not being able to use skype on wifi??? Thats a killer right there. I live in ny. Ive been overseas for months. Ive been using skype on my iphone to make my international calls to the US only because I was able to use skype over wifi. My buddy came to visit me from ny, he had a vz droid. He couldnt use skype...I see a major problem with that. Am I alone here?