Skype First big mobile move with Verizon

Today at Mobile World Congress, Skype and Verizon announced that Skype will be made available on Verizon Wireless smart phones in March. What this mean is that users with data plans can make Unlimited Skype-to-Skype call, send messages and see each others presence. So Users with unlimited data package can pretty much call other Skype users on mobile for free unlimited. Iam sure there is some kind of revenue sharing between Skype and Verizon or Skype could be using Verizon network for PSTN /Mobile termination. So this should generate additional revenue for Verizon.

The Skype client on Verizon Mobile can be used for following:
• 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.

So this is quite big news for couple of reason. Verizon which is more conservative when it comes to opening up their network has chosen Skype to be part of their network. In addition, They are allowing Skype client to use their data network for Skype to Skype calls, sending messages and presence. All these years, operators made sure Skype was not eating into their lunch. Now, things have changed. As Om suggest , the landscape of mobile is changing and operators don’t call the shot anymore. It’s the consumers who call the shot (That’s Right!), so allowing subscribers to make Skype calls from mobile is giving some incentive to the existing subscribers to stay with Verizon. With iPhone, AT&T is growing crazy and lot of new subscribers signing up everyday just to own an iPhone. I don’t think Verizon has any handset that can directly compete with iPhone. So the new strategy might be to provide more useful apps than compete with iPhone directly. Maybe Apple will work with Verizon in future, till then they will surprise users with some cool new apps.

Initially, Skype mobile will be available on following 3G smartphones with data plans, including the BlackBerry® Storm™ 9530, Storm2™ 9550, Curve™ 8330, Curve™ 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour™ 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS™ by HTC and Motorola DEVOUR™.

Is this an exclusive deal with Verizon or Will AT&T follow suit, don’t know yet. Stay tuned, will dig more.