Tech & Biz

Nokia Handsets Pre-loaded with Skype

by TDH | February 17, 2009 at 10:34 am

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Nokia's N97 flagship handset will be pre-loaded with Skype, affording users the VoIP option when making calls. Though the availability of Skype on certain mobile phones is not new, Nokia's move to pre-install the Skype client is a first.

It seems like only yesterday Nokia was removing SIP functionality from operator-variant handsets in order to appease the operators and gain that so-valuable subsidy. But now N-Series devices will have a proper Skype client integrated, including presence and messaging as well as VoIP, in a move that isn't going to please network operators at all.

The problem for mobile service providers is obvious; with users making free VoIP calls (outside of data usage fees, which are commonly unlimited today), mobile carriers will be missing out on a big slice of the mobile money pie. We might see an increasing reluctance on the part of mobile carriers to continue their subsidization of handsets.

That being said, it still might all come down to the carriers willingness to allow the Skype function on its phones.

It's still possible that operators will manage to convince Nokia to switch off the functionality for variant handsets, as Vodafone did when SIP became available. But the attendant publicity, connected to the Skype brand, will make that hard - assuming Skype can start making enough money to fund its continued existence

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takurot

at 13:48 on February 17th, 2009

I installed Skype on X02HT, HTC smart phone released in Japan. It requires some tweeking to make Skype work on it, but not too complicated. It's handy & nice if you were heavy Skype user and if you had a static WiFi connection.

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eckster

at 01:26 on February 18th, 2009

i use skype on my sonyericsson witch came preloaded on it in the uk on the three network i got the 3skypemobile and it had a lot of bugs when running other java applications but the skype worked amazingly well on it now three have brought out another 3skypephone simply called the s2 it is meant to work well now three preload all new handsets with skype and if you use skype a lot it is handy it works of the 3g so no wifi needed nokia must no three are on to a winner for them to follow wonder what will be the price of using skype on there handsets ? and i also wonder what networks will want these handsets ?