Skype and Verizon enter into an exclusive agreement, Skype 3G on the iPhone delayed?
GigaOm has dug up some juicy tidbits on the recently announced deal between Verizon and Skype, an agreement that would put Skype on Verizon Wireless’ smartphones. According to inside sources, Verizon and Skype reportedly inked an exclusive two to three year deal that will not be offered to other carriers. We are not too sure how the deal is exclusive since Skype is available for download already on most smartphone platforms, but we digress. Possible bad news for iPhone owners as this exclusive deal may have had an effect on Skype’s upcoming 3G-enabled version of its iPhone app. The latest version of the application is reportedly ready to be released but is being withheld due to “concerns with AT&T’s network” which, according to GigaOm, could be Verizon speak for “we want Skype 3G only on our smartphones and are pressuring Skype to shelve it.” Are iPhone owners really going to be stuck VoIP-ing over Wi-Fi or is this far too much of a conspiracy theory to be true?
to each his own, fring works for me well, even on 3g.
anyways my argument is not fring as much it against the exclusivity bs, but thats just me
I guess verizon can’t have the iPhone or iPad so they’ll try and get any type of “other,” exclusive they can get so they can say “only we have xxxx.”
I hated AT&T’s iPhone exclusivity and I hate that Verizon will get an exclusive to an app.
Knowing this industry too well, it’s obvious Skype was paid out. That’s how telecom companies work. They even pay rogue politicians and lobbyists to create smear campaigns and spread FUD in an effort to further their agendas.
Nothing new here.
So…does anyone even do google searches anymore?
“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.”
from:
http://about.skype.com/press/2010/02/verizon.html
There’s also about 50 other links with the official announcement. Note the announcement does say “exclusive”…
Doesn’t AT&T own most of the patents on VoIP? Might be interesting if Verizon/SKYPE will have to pay AT&T for licensing.
Hey this way Verizon phones can make a phone call whilst still running a data-intensive app simultaneously, thereby getting around that EVDO Rev A limitation…
We don’t need stinking Skype. Line2 does this now on the iphone, can can even transition from wifi to 3G when you are out of range and can send calls to your cell when dont have any data connection. So FU skype
This isn’t just a VOIP over 3g call change. From reading the comments from both Verizon and Skype this seems like a lot more.
3g talk with the Iphone could still be coming, but it’s not going to have all the features of the Verizon (for one, it can’t offer Presence).
From the sound of it, VOIP calls will ring on your phone just like normal calls will.. so this sounds more in line with Google Voice than it does running a program to stream data.
So not will we have to deal with phone exclusivities but also Apps.
I am European so why should it be my problem?they should releaase a European version of the skype app…!