Skype mobile phones

Skype mobile phones in depth

Skype mobile phones are handsets with software installed that allows owners to make free calls and instant messages to other Skype-equipped mobile phones over the internet no matter where they are in the world.

Users of some Skype mobile phones can also benefit from Skype calls to landlines and mobile devices at a reduced price.

Skype mobile phones increasingly come with the software pre-installed. However, it can also be downloaded to older handsets in the same way that you might download a game or a ringtone.

Why choose a Skype mobile phone?

The chief advantage of Skype mobile phones is the incredible savings on offer, making them very attractive to anyone looking to cut down their mobile phone expenditure. Connecting to Skype costs around the same as a national rate phone call, but all calls then made to other Skype mobile phone users anywhere in the world are free of charge.

Furthermore, the fact that calls between Skype mobile phones are free for irrespective of where users are makes Skype mobile phones a superb selection for anyone whose family or friends are domiciled overseas.

Some Skype mobile phones also offer a handy tethering function. This lets owners use the handsets as a mobile broadband dongle to get online with their laptop or PC instead of paying for a separate device.

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Which handsets are Skype mobile phones?

Skype mobile phones increasingly come with the software pre-installed including models in the Nseries from Nokia and the Skype-branded handsets from 3, iPhones and BlackBerry mobile phones.

However, Skype can also be downloaded for free to older handsets from most major mobile phone manufacturers, including those from Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.

As a rule of thumb, if you’re mobile phone is a 3G mode and your network does not bar Skype it can be used as a Skype mobile phone.

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History of Skype mobile phones

Skype was originally solely developed as a means of making free voice and video calls on PCs and laptops. However, with the advent of 3G enabled mobiles, a version for mobile phones was created and launched in April 2008 as a free download.

Since this time Skype been embraced by a number of mobile phone industry players. Among these is 3 which brought a special branded Skype mobile phone to market in 2008. Meanwhile, Nokia is employing Skype in its high-end Nseries of handsets.

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