Verizon Wireless and Skype announced a strategic relationship which sees Skype being smartphones to Verizon Wireless as of March.
The two firms are joining forces to ‘create a global mobile calling community’, according to a statement, which allows users…
Verizon Wireless and Skype announced a strategic relationship which sees Skype being smartphones to Verizon Wireless as of March.
The two firms are joining forces to ‘create a global mobile calling community’, according to a statement, which allows users to make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe, call international phone numbers on Skype Out calling rates and send and receive instant messages to other Skype users.
Verizon Wireless executive VP and CMO John Stratton 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.”
Informa Telecoms & Media senior analyst Dario Talmesio said of Verizon and Skype joining forces, “The Skype/Verizon announcement demonstrates that mobile operators are beginning to change their attitude towards VoIP providers, they have gone from blocking to managing what they consider to be an issue. However, the majority of mobile operators have yet to make a firm decision, but market forces are such that mobile operators can’t avoid Internet-based VoIP. Those operators wanting to be serious players in mobile Internet need to embrace openness and they need to allow Internet services on their devices – this includes VoIP. Blocking VoIP is a short sighted strategy. Those operators fearing VoIP providers need to be able to provide a compelling service competing with VoIP. Blocking VoIP simply doesn’t work for customers.”
