Finnish mobile leaders Nokia and Skype have teamed up to provide the popular VoIP service on selected Nokia smartphones from June this year.
Starting with the Nokia N97, Skype will allow users to utilise 3G networks and WLAN to make and receive free Skype-to-Skype calls, in addition to low-priced Skype calls to landlines and mobile phones. The service is sure to upset leading mobile network operators like O2, Orange and T-Mobile, who may find themselves bypassed by consumers in favour of Skype's free VoIP services.
3 Mobile, however, has already embraced Skype's technology through their Skypephone series. Despite the probable misgivings of network providers, Nokia and Skype remain upbeat about the partnership. Scott Durchslag, Skype's COO, said: "Making Skype available everywhere through mobile devices is essential to fulfilling our vision of 'enabling the world's conversations'. "Collaborating closely with Nokia to preload and integrate our software onto their devices will benefit the many Nokia customers who already use Skype, as it makes Skype easily accessible and simple to use on the go. It will also bring Skype new users who love Nokia's Symbian S60 experience."
Jose-Luis Martinez, vice president of Nokia Nseries, added: "With more than 400 million Skype users worldwide, the integration of Skype on Nokia Nseries mobile computers is a significant step in bringing converged Internet experiences from the desktop to the world's most advanced mobile computer."
The news comes just as Mobile World Congress - the mobile phone industry's largest global conference - wraps up in Barcelona this week. Nokia has played a major part in the announcements made during the exhibition, with the unveiling of its Ovi Store and its award win for Best Mobile Internet Service with Nokia Sports Tracker.
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