Skype gone (really) mobile: 3 Skypephone puts free Skype calls and instant messages in your pocket

By Villu Arak on October 29, 2007 in News, events, milestones, Partner news and campaigns.

One shouldn’t really trust rumors. But we’ve heard plenty of them in recent weeks and in this case, they weren’t too far from the truth. In tandem with the mobile operator 3, Skype has just launched a new mobile phone called 3 Skypephone. One that lets you make free Skype-to-Skype calls and send free Skype instant messages from anywhere. Not just from the desktop, not just from the office. From anywhere.

And it works the other way, too. That is, if your friend in the US runs Skype on her desktop and calls you over Skype, your 3 Skypephone will ring. And the call won't cost either of you a penny.

What we're dealing with here is a mobile internet phone with Skype built in. That is, in addition to Skype calls the phone also handles conventional calls and can be used to access 3’s other internet services. We're dealing with a new breed here, folks. Because this is the first time an operator has offered a mass-market mobile phone purpose-built for free internet calls. In a package that's easy to use, is easy on the pocketbook and looks so good you may want to chain it to your wrist (lest gravity or someone's sticky fingers get the better of it).

So, where can you get the thing and what's the damage? The 3 Skypephone will be available this year in the UK, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Macau and Sweden. Skype-to-Skype calls are free from your 3 Skypephone as long as you are on contract or your pay-as-you-go 3 credit is topped up monthly. In the UK the 3 Skypephone is £49.99 on a pay-as-you-go tariff or free on a contract.

The new phone is available from November 2 in 3Stores across the UK and from Skype and 3’s websites in time for Christmas. And it's available for pre-order in the UK from today.

See the press release for more details.

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Comments

Can you tell me when the skypephone will be available in Italy?

what are the chances of seeing something like this in the US? I love my LINKSYS iPhone and use it exclusively (whats this I hear about cell phones?), but would gladly pay to use skype anywhere! any chance this will work on us networks?

Hi Villu,

I'm a business student doing a project involving a measurement of Skype media relations for my course. Having measured media coverage on Skype within a period of time, we would like to compare it with the messages Skype is trying to send out to its stakeholders.

Would it possible for you to grant us a short informational interview regarding Skype's corporate communications function? We've been trying to locate a number to contact but to no avail. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Yuan Shan

iv had the 3skypephone 4 a week now and its amazing better than i thought easy to use and has all the features u need iv jst bought two more for christmas presents and i now my m8 has jst bought one and our group of friends r getting one to so if any one is thinking bout getting one id strongly advice u to buy a couple it has all u need a music player camara video txt email internet access memory card bluetooth etc........well done skype and three its a winner

hi, do you know if there will there be a skypephone on a network in the netherlands anytime soon? as i understand it, if i buy a skype phone in the UK and then use it abroard i will have to pay roaming charges for skype-to-skype calls. is this correct?

Sounds great. What about Spain? (Remember there is a huge UK expat community in Spain who would snap up this sort of thing. Not to forget the Spanish - who love their mobiles!)

Hi Skype your statement about being the 1st free call providers,is not strictly true,is it? I have the self same product with BT Fusion,and at£19./mth, Ithink you have quite a contest,do you?....'S'

I bought five skipephone but unfortunately do not work, The phone company is hg3 that I can not affrire service seriously. Think of the technical assistance is paid ...And does not know why I have to pay ...
Before you entrust a mark as skipe has a phone company verified the reliability of the operator ...
I do not know that there is trade agreement between skipe and h3g but who loses face and certainly skipe ... H3g italy did not face as callcenter did not capable ... If someone can tell me a number of h3g it is a human rispontere are pleased to have
sorry for my english

Can you tell me when the Skypephone is available in English

can u use the skypephone in Thailand. My boyfriend is in UK and has bought 2 phones can he ship one to me and I use it to phone him??

Can I use this phone in Singapore?

Can the 3 be used in the US Between skype users?

Hi,

when does the skypephone will come out in Swiss ?

thx

can i use the 3 mobile phone in delhi,india.

Hi. Can someone clarify for me. I have a skype account with a skype subscription. I am thinking about buying a 3 skype mobile:

1. Can I associate the mobile with my existing skype account?
2. If I can, will the mobile ring when someone rings my skype number?
3. I am going on holiday to France. Will I be able to call skype to skype free when I am there? or will I hit roaming charges?

Why not USA?????

I am using Fring, a java application that allows me to use Skype, MSN, etc, at once, using the data connection.
In Italy I got a Wind data rate (100 hrs UMTS) and can Skype almost for free, as long as I want.

WHY NOT USA! HATERS! after my subscription over never signing up for this crap again don't even care about me and my phone mobile needs.

when will this be released in the U.S. and does it run off a cellular network or just wifi such as the other mobiles......if its a cellular it should make a killing....

someone please tell me do i need internet to make the skype phone work???

Yes, you need a broadband internet connection to use Skype on your computer – you can use Skype on a mobile phone, too.

i want to buy a skype phone in uk does this phone work in india.
can i call from skype india to skype uk through phone.
does network work in india....
please tell me....

if i am connected to skype, the 3 network says its free. but will i be charge for the internet connection or will that be included in the package? thanks

@ pouva78 check out the Three site for more details on the packages available

I am seeing the questions for whether or not this works in the US but I am not seeing the replies! Where can I get the answers? I would really like to know if I buy this in the UK; can I bring it back to the states to use?

@ christina6678 - unfortunately, the Skype functionality won't work in the US. You will still be able to use the handset subject to normal roaming charges, however.

would be grateful if you could clarify - I want to buy the 3Skypephone in the UK, but use it in India. Will it work there?

It should work fine, but it's likely that you'll have to pay roaming charges - hope that helps.

Hi I bought my skype mob 3 years back and loved it so much i went and got my other half one 2 we both love the phone and i liked it so much that when it got broken i went out and got another its slim small and sleek design and a good camera on it its a very neat phone and im still very impressed after 3 years i wish they would make a blackberry type phone to make it better to txt , skype chat and go on the net with a little usa soket and then id never go back to my pc again !! Thank you skype xx

can you tell me when this product will come to the us

hi,
can you tell me when and if that skype phone is coming out in germany?

Hi,

Can the 3 Skypephone be used in Jamaica?

Skype gone (really) mobile: 3 Skypephone puts free Skype calls and instant messages in your pocket

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