Imminent release of 3 Mobile’s Skype phone

Skype and 3 Mobile hope to release their Skype mobile later this month in Britain, Italy, Hong Kong, and Australia. The phone, which is code-named ‘white phone’, will be rolled out to other markets at a later date.

The collaboration between VoIP company, Skype, and UK-based wireless carrier, 3 Mobile, will make Skype completely mobile for the first time.

The partnership is unprecedented, as it runs contrary to the usual competition between mobile operators and VoIP providers.

By offering free calls over the internet, VoIP competes with mobile operators who charge customers for their calls.

However, the partnership with Skpye will give 3 Mobile a share of the revenue. 3 will not levy an additional charge, but users will be required to spend a minimum amount each month.