Beginning Thursday, Verizon Wireless will provide its customers with free downloads of Skype mobile for selected 3G smartphones running the Android and BlackBerry operating systems. Data-plan subscribers will be able to place an unlimited amount of free calls to other Skype users worldwide and dial overseas numbers at Skype’s low international rates.
The Skype download is aimed at the BlackBerry Curve, Storm, Storm2 and Tour, as well as Android-based smartphones such as the Motorola Droid and the HTC Droid Eris. Verizon also said the VoIP app will be coming soon to the Motorola Devour.
Skype is expected to change the way mobile consumers in the United States make and receive calls, noted Verizon Senior Vice President John Harrobin. “With an ‘always on’ capability, Skype mobile on your 3G smartphone means you never have to miss a call or make an appointment to connect with Skype users around the world,” Harrobin said. “With Skype mobile, we’re untethering Skype users from their PCs and enabling them to stay connected.”
Enterprise Savings
Among other things, Verizon’s data-plan subscribers will be able to use Skype mobile to initiate or receive unlimited free voice calls with any Skype contact around the globe, as well as send and receive unlimited instant messages with other Skype users. These Skype-to-Skype interactions will not be charged against subscribers’ monthly minute voice allowances or data plans, the company said.
The potential in-house savings for enterprises with large numbers of mobile workers who need to stay in constant communication should be more than enough to encourage many businesses to adopt free Skype numbers for their personnel. Skype mobile users also will gain the ability to sense the presence of fellow workers as well as engage in instant-messaging sessions and even group conference calls.
The free download will also let consumers and businesses save money by placing…