Skype Service Coming to Verizon 3G Networks

Verizon (News - Alert) issued a statement on Friday about a joint news conference with Skype on February 16 at the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

 

Following suit, Skype (News - Alert) spokesman Chaim Haas e-mailed the TMC team last week, confirming the news.

 

Verizon Wireless executive VP John Stratton and Josh Silverman, CEO of Skype, are expected to jointly announce that Verizon will give Skype access to its 3G network, according to reports.

 

In response, TMCnet blogger and IT guru Tom Keating said “this could potentially mean Skype over 3G on Verizon's network. Currently, the U.K.-based carrier 3 is the only one offering direct Skype calling on their cellular network, though you have to use special Skype phones.”

 

The question, said Keating, is “will this Verizon Wireless deal be similar to 3 in that you need to purchase a special Skype-enabled handset? Or will some of the existing Verizon Wireless handsets support Skype via a software/firmware download?”

 

Skype recently announced, through a blog posting to its Web site, that calls will no longer be limited to WiFi, as the Internet communications software provider plans to release a new version of its “Skype for iPhone (News - Alert)” software that supports 3G networks.

 

Skype’s Chief Blogger Peter Parkes posted a video and an entry on the company’s home page confirming the news.