Skype Could Replace Voice on Cellphones
After the massive adoption of Skype on Verizon Smartphone, it is turn of Nokia to embrace Skype. Today Nokia has made available for free the Internet-telephony (VoIP) app in the Ovi app store. Over 200 million Nokia handsets will now be able to download the Skype app and make cheap calls abroad while away from the computer. The paradigm of calling each other via just a nick name instead of a phone number might begin this year.
Skype for Symbian will allow calls on both WiFi and 3G data connections, though calls using the 3G connections will also come out of your contract data allowance. Otherwise, you can make free Skype-to-Skype calls or call traditional lines anywhere at a fraction of the regular cost.
Using Skype is convenient for frequent long distance oversea calls, especially for contract using flat-rate data plans and not contract minutes. To take advantages, users need to sign up with Skype to get a nickname. Skype-to-Skype calls are free. e.g., call from Skype client on the Nokia phone to another desktop or phone Skype client. and optionally select Skype-out option to be able to call to a regular landline or regular cellphone number; Skype-in option allows to obtain a regular phone number to receive incoming call.
Reportedly Wireless carriers are seeing a decline in voice call income and are looking to increase the data plan bundle contract. Hence the reason of this partnership.
In another hand, the partnership with Wireless carriers might explain some strange business behaviors from Skype. Recently, Skype retracted the Skype client for Microsoft Windows Mobile and the company still does not allow the Skype client for iPhone to work over 3G network.
Pretty awesome news for the Nokia team. It’s great to see that there are major development initiatives going on for platforms other than focusing on the Apple market.