Skype coming to Verizon Wireless on the Droid

[danDroid]

At the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Verizon Wireless and Skype today announced a strategic relationship that will bring Skype to Verizon Wireless smartphones in March. The new Skype mobile™ product enhances Verizon Wireless’ smartphones for users who have data plans by offering a new way to call around the globe, while also giving hundreds of millions of Skype users around the world the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and business colleagues in the United States using Verizon Wireless.

The two companies have created an exclusive, easy-to-use Skype mobile offering for 3G smartphones. Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans can use Skype mobile to:

• make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on America’s most reliable wireless network;
• call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates;
• send and receive instant messages to other Skype users; and
• remain always connected with the ability to see friends’ online presence.

Initially, Skype mobile will be available on millions of best-selling Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones with data plans, including the BlackBerry® Storm™ 9530, Storm2™ 9550, Curve™ 8330, Curve™ 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour™ 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS™ by HTC and Motorola DEVOUR™.

John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said, “Skype mobile on Verizon Wireless changes the game. For Verizon Wireless’ more than 90 million customers, Skype mobile adds great value because we’re effectively giving customers with smartphones and data plans the option to extend their unlimited calling community to hundreds of millions of Skype users around the globe. And you’re not limited to using a single type of phone; we’ll have nine smartphones ready right at launch in March.”

Josh Silverman, chief executive officer of Skype, noted, “People want to take their Skype conversations with them wherever they go, whether it’s on a PC, TV or increasingly mobile phones. Verizon Wireless will give U.S. consumers the best Skype experience on mobile phones and will truly change the way people call their friends and family internationally.”

Customers interested in learning more about Skype mobile for Verizon Wireless smartphones can visit www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile. Additional information about the service will be available next month.

Visit Cell Phones,Smartphones,Mobile Cell Phone Plans - Verizon Wireless for more information about Verizon Wireless or follow the company at Verizon Wireless (VerizonWireless) on Twitter. Learn more and download Skype at Skype ? Make free calls and great value calls on the internet or follow the company at Skype on your Mobile (skypemobile) on Twitter.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 91 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit Cell Phones,Smartphones,Mobile Cell Phone Plans - Verizon Wireless. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone services and cannot be used for emergency calling.

Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.

 

[tommyz]

Will it work over WiFi?

I hope this works over wifi. It would be nice to be able to use this overseas where there isn't Verizon Service.

 

[segen77]

I hope this works over wifi. It would be nice to be able to use this overseas where there isn't Verizon Service.

That's kinda the big thing with skype. Place calls via internet.

 

[Lasher]

Very very nice! I agree hope it works over wifi too.

 

[tommyz]

I hope this works over wifi. It would be nice to be able to use this overseas where there isn't Verizon Service.

That's kinda the big thing with skype. Place calls via internet.

The thing is they keep refering to 3G in the press release. That is why I asked.

 

[NVash]

Could someone please tell me what Skype is?

 

[segen77]

I hope this works over wifi. It would be nice to be able to use this overseas where there isn't Verizon Service.

That's kinda the big thing with skype. Place calls via internet.

The thing is they keep refering to 3G in the press release. That is why I asked.

Gotcha. I'd be incredibly surprised if they blocked use via wifi

 

[PJ_ED]

So it will be free if you call another Skype client, with no minutes used on your Verizon plan? Kind of like Verizon to Verizon, only it's Verizon to Skype and VOIP? Hmmmmm, I'll have to think about that one since I only know one person who uses Skype and I am not sure he still even uses it anymore.

 

[NVash]

Okay, just looked up Skype. It sounds something like Vonage, I cant understand why people even use these things. But I have a question. If I understand this right is it true that this could very well make the phone international? Any place in the World as long as you have internet access right?

 

[cincywolv]

I hope this works over wifi. It would be nice to be able to use this overseas where there isn't Verizon Service.

Unfortunately, it wont work over wifi, meaning you cant bypass VZ intl rates entirely when abroad . It also means we are SOL on communicating via VOIP with the Droid if in a country with no CDMA. Question is, how long will it take before we see an app that will allow us to bypass this restriction and use Skype on wifi. For crying out loud, the communist nation of Apple even allows it to work over wifi!


"Other wireless carriers have blocked the Skype app from running all the time. It's available on the iPhone only in Wi-Fi hot spots. In October, AT&T said it would relent and let the program work over its cellular network as well, but Skype has not yet released an application to enable that. Verizon's version of Skype mobile will not work over Wi-Fi, the companies said."


Verizon Wireless to let some smart phone customers use Skype over its wireless network

 

[JonKyu]

I hope this works over wifi. It would be nice to be able to use this overseas where there isn't Verizon Service.

Unfortunately, it wont work over wifi, meaning you cant bypass VZ intl rates entirely when abroad . It also means we are SOL on communicating via VOIP with the Droid if in a country with no CDMA. Question is, how long will it take before we see an app that will allow us to bypass this restriction and use Skype on wifi. For crying out loud, the communist nation of Apple even allows it to work over wifi!


"Other wireless carriers have blocked the Skype app from running all the time. It's available on the iPhone only in Wi-Fi hot spots. In October, AT&T said it would relent and let the program work over its cellular network as well, but Skype has not yet released an application to enable that. Verizon's version of Skype mobile will not work over Wi-Fi, the companies said."


Verizon Wireless to let some smart phone customers use Skype over its wireless network

Well...That's kinda rains on my parade. The only real use I would have for this is for going out of country, and since Verizon is CDMA only we're definitely SOL. Sucks but it's a step in the right direction, who would have though Verizon out of any carrier would even consider this. Who would a thought it would allow non Verizon proprietary software to run on it's phones. Verizon has change quite a bit during these last few months. Here's hoping that it continues to head in the right direction....

 

[tommyz]

Unfortunately, it wont work over wifi, meaning you cant bypass VZ intl rates entirely when abroad . It also means we are SOL on communicating via VOIP with the Droid if in a country with no CDMA. Question is, how long will it take before we see an app that will allow us to bypass this restriction and use Skype on wifi. For crying out loud, the communist nation of Apple even allows it to work over wifi!


"Other wireless carriers have blocked the Skype app from running all the time. It's available on the iPhone only in Wi-Fi hot spots. In October, AT&T said it would relent and let the program work over its cellular network as well, but Skype has not yet released an application to enable that. Verizon's version of Skype mobile will not work over Wi-Fi, the companies said."


Verizon Wireless to let some smart phone customers use Skype over its wireless network

If you get a good signal on the Verizon network, why would you use Skype in the first place. I don't understand this thinking.

 

[bastosero]

I hope this works over wifi. It would be nice to be able to use this overseas where there isn't Verizon Service.

Unfortunately, it wont work over wifi, meaning you cant bypass VZ intl rates entirely when abroad . It also means we are SOL on communicating via VOIP with the Droid if in a country with no CDMA. Question is, how long will it take before we see an app that will allow us to bypass this restriction and use Skype on wifi. For crying out loud, the communist nation of Apple even allows it to work over wifi!


"Other wireless carriers have blocked the Skype app from running all the time. It's available on the iPhone only in Wi-Fi hot spots. In October, AT&T said it would relent and let the program work over its cellular network as well, but Skype has not yet released an application to enable that. Verizon's version of Skype mobile will not work over Wi-Fi, the companies said."


Verizon Wireless to let some smart phone customers use Skype over its wireless network

YOU ARE WRONG ABOUT THAT! If you tried other working Skype apps right now in the market, they already work with wi-fi. In fact, they only work well with wi-fi right now. I'm actually the opposite in thinking if it will work well in 3G, since the current apps don't work well with 3G. Try the Nimbuzz IM client in the market. It has Skype in it. I've already made a Skype to Skype call with someone else from abroad over wi-fi with it and it works. 3G, on the other hand, won't work on it so hopefully the new dedicated Skype app that they will have for us next month should work nicely even on 3G. Again, right now you CAN use wi-fi for the available Skype apps right now in the market.

 

[bastosero]

I hope this works over wifi. It would be nice to be able to use this overseas where there isn't Verizon Service.

Unfortunately, it wont work over wifi, meaning you cant bypass VZ intl rates entirely when abroad . It also means we are SOL on communicating via VOIP with the Droid if in a country with no CDMA. Question is, how long will it take before we see an app that will allow us to bypass this restriction and use Skype on wifi. For crying out loud, the communist nation of Apple even allows it to work over wifi!


"Other wireless carriers have blocked the Skype app from running all the time. It's available on the iPhone only in Wi-Fi hot spots. In October, AT&T said it would relent and let the program work over its cellular network as well, but Skype has not yet released an application to enable that. Verizon's version of Skype mobile will not work over Wi-Fi, the companies said."


Verizon Wireless to let some smart phone customers use Skype over its wireless network

YOU ARE WRONG ABOUT THAT! If you tried other working Skype apps right now in the market, they already work with wi-fi. In fact, they only work well with wi-fi right now. I'm actually the opposite in thinking if it will work well in 3G, since the current apps don't work well with 3G. Try the Nimbuzz IM client in the market. It has Skype in it. I've already made a Skype to Skype call with someone else from abroad over wi-fi with it and it works. 3G, on the other hand, won't work on it so hopefully the new dedicated Skype app that they will have for us next month should work nicely even on 3G. Again, right now you CAN use wi-fi for the available Skype apps right now in the market.

I also do not think that Verizon or Skype will block wi-fi access for the app since that defeats the purpose of unlimited calling for Skype to Skype users.

 

[cincywolv]

I hope this works over wifi. It would be nice to be able to use this overseas where there isn't Verizon Service.

Unfortunately, it wont work over wifi, meaning you cant bypass VZ intl rates entirely when abroad . It also means we are SOL on communicating via VOIP with the Droid if in a country with no CDMA. Question is, how long will it take before we see an app that will allow us to bypass this restriction and use Skype on wifi. For crying out loud, the communist nation of Apple even allows it to work over wifi!


"Other wireless carriers have blocked the Skype app from running all the time. It's available on the iPhone only in Wi-Fi hot spots. In October, AT&T said it would relent and let the program work over its cellular network as well, but Skype has not yet released an application to enable that. Verizon's version of Skype mobile will not work over Wi-Fi, the companies said."


Verizon Wireless to let some smart phone customers use Skype over its wireless network

YOU ARE WRONG ABOUT THAT! If you tried other working Skype apps right now in the market, they already work with wi-fi. In fact, they only work well with wi-fi right now. I'm actually the opposite in thinking if it will work well in 3G, since the current apps don't work well with 3G. Try the Nimbuzz IM client in the market. It has Skype in it. I've already made a Skype to Skype call with someone else from abroad over wi-fi with it and it works. 3G, on the other hand, won't work on it so hopefully the new dedicated Skype app that they will have for us next month should work nicely even on 3G. Again, right now you CAN use wi-fi for the available Skype apps right now in the market.

Dude, you need to chill. I was merely copying and pasting a piece of the article I attached to my post. It came from the source I included in this thread.

If you can give me a recommendation or two on a good Skype app, I would appreciate it.

Thx.