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Dedicated mobile for Skype services out on November 2nd

Skype and 3 have teamed up to create a Skypephone, which will allow free calls and instant messages to other Skype users. The Skypephone allows unlimited free calls over the internet and will be available on both contract and payg. The ‘unlimited’ calls will be limited each month at 4,000 minutes, and messages at 10,000 as part of three’s fair use policy.

3 have offered Skype-to-Skype calls to customers for a while now, starting with unlimited Skype calls with the X-Series add-on, and more recently with all Mix & Match tariffs. However this will be the first time a mobile has been developed specifically for use with Skype’s services.

The Skype phone will offer Skype-to-Skype calls and Instant Messages to other Skype users. Unfortunately the phone will not allow free calls to regular numbers, as the service is limited to calling Skype users only. The phone has been developed in partnership with Qualcomm, using their BREW platform to allow Skype to work with regular phone features such as address books and messaging.

Previously most networks have banned calls over the internet (VoIP), fearing that it could hurt business if customers make the move to free VoIP calls rather than buying allowances direct from them.

The Skypephone will be available on a contract for free when combined with one of 3’s normal tariffs. So you could get free Skype-to-Skype calls and messages alongside one of the new Mix & Match tariffs. The Skypephone is also available on payg for £49.99, with the Skype calls only being available if you top up a minimum of £10 per month.

The phone itself is available in three colours (black, white with Blue trim and white with pink trim), has a 2 megapixel camera, MP3 player, Bluetooth, 16MB internal memory and is expandable by microSD card.

The Skypephone can already be pre-ordered on 3’s website, and will be available to buy from the 2nd November. As well as a launch in the UK the Skypephone will be released in eight countries including: Australia, Italy and Hong Kong.