Verizon Wireless Allows Unlimited 3G Skype Calls
Verizon Wireless stunned consumers and industry experts alike today by announcing it would allow smartphone users to make calls over Verizon's 3G network using Skype.
Skype allows people to make calls all over the world for very little money, or in some cases for free, because it uses the Internet to transmit calls.
Because it circumvents traditional phone networks , it's no surprise that networks have been reluctant to let users make Skype calls over data networks. AT&T has allowed its customers to do so for a few months now, but Verizon has been notoriously conservative with its 3G network.
Verizon ended its resistance with its announcement today, which says that anyone with a data plan and a smartphone can make Skype-to-Skype voice calls on its 3G network. And there is no limit on how many calls customers can make.
"Skype mobile adds great value because we’re effectively giving customers with smartphones and data plans the option to extend their unlimited calling community to hundreds of millions of Skype users around the globe," said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless.
All this is possible through a new app , called Skype Mobile, coming next month. The app allows Skype Out calls, instant messaging between Skype users and a constant connection to "friends' online presence," according to the Verizon Wireless press release.
The Skype Mobile app will only be available for a few select phones at launch, including the following:
- 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
More phones are expected to be compatible with the Skype Mobile app in the near future.
