Verizon smartphones to carry Skype
updated 11:55 am EST, Tue February 16, 2010
Droid, BlackBerry, more get Skype in March
Verizon at a joint event with Skype today unveiled a deal for Skype mobile on the US carrier's phones. The deal will give phones like the Droid, Droid Eris, Devour and most BlackBerries a specialized version of Skype that will let them make VoIP calls over Verizon's 3G. The full feature set should stay in place and will include both free voice chat between Skype users as well as IM and paid SkypeOut minutes.
In an indirect dig at Apple, Verizon notes that both Android and BlackBerry phones can keep Skype alive in the background and will make it easier to catch an inbound VoIP call.
The initial roster of phones will be ready for the custom-tailored Skype in March. Verizon hasn't said if the app will come preloaded or if it will have to arrive through an update or an app store download.
The move is likely a reaction to AT&T recently arranging for VoIP apps to work on the iPhone while using 3G, potentially giving the carrier an edge for Internet calling. AT&T and others expect VoIP to become commonplace once 4G is readily available but have been pressed into allowing it on 3G both due to FCC pressure and public objections over the competitiveness of blocking rival services.
