Skype 3 Mobile Phone
Published October 29th, 2007
Skype has introduced a mobile phone that will enable callers to dispense with their computers and make free calls to other Skype users as they move about nine countries including the U.K. Skype, a unit of eBay (NSDQ: EBAY), teamed up with mobile operator 3 in the effort.
The 3 Skypephone lets you make free Skype-to-Skype calls and send free instant messages without a PC.
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Unveiled Monday, the 3 Skypephone will be available for about $100 and won’t incur additional service provider charges from 3. In addition to the U.K, the service will be available this year in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Macau and Sweden. The 3 mobile operator provides service in those countries. The service won’t be offered at first in the U.S., although Skype users in the countries cited will be able to call Skype users for free in the U.S.
“You can put it in your pocket and take it with you,” said Eric Lagier, Skype’s director of business development, in an interview. “This will be important for new Skype users, who won’t need a PC. Now they will be able to call using just the phone.”
Lagier said the phone supports recent proposals Skype has made to the FCC. He indicated the phone could be offered in the U.S. “as the U.S. market becomes more liberalized.” eBay’s CEO Meg Whitman reported this summer that Skype has asked the FCC to support the openness principles in the upcoming January auction of 700 MHz spectrum.
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