Skype goes mobile

Everybody has heard of Skype voice calls on fixed broadband access (be it DSL, Cable or else). Between PCs, calls are free, as well as the software, but to call traditional phone number, small fees are paid, lower than traditional voice pricing. You can get a phone number to be reached as well. Skype is trying to duplicate its success in the mobile market. The software is provided by a small US strat-up, iSkoot, and is currently free to download. The Skype-branded solution is aimed at WCDMA mobile users. 3 is the first mobile operator to launch this service and the software will be pre-loaded on Nokia and Sony Ericsson handsets (see Operator corner/ mobile networks/ 3 Group below). But iSkoot claims it will be expanding support to new platforms and services, including Google's Talk and Yahoo's Messenger offerings, as well as rival CDMA carriers (Verizon and Sprint Nextel in the US). Competition will be fierce to interest new subscribers.