3 to offer free Skype

In a very consumer friendly move, 3 UK has announced that it will support Skype calls on its network, even if users make no other commitment to its services.

Skype, a service which offers VoIP calls (Voice over Internet Protocol: basically internet telephone), had been one of the companies complaining earlier this month about mobile broadband companies blocking its services on their networks; in particular in relation to T-Mobile Germany blocking Skype on the iPhone in the country.

It's kind of hard to fault mobile providers for not wanting VoIP services on their networks - after all, it is in direct competition with their voice revenues, and may undercut their prices in many cases. 3, however, has taken the somewhat revolutionary consumer-friendly approach of allowing Skype calls free of any data charges or airtime payments. All users will need is a 3 SIM card and a Skype enabled handset to be able to make free Skype to Skype calls.

Kevin Russell, 3 UK chief executive said: "Communication through the internet is exploding. Internet calling or VoIP, social networking, instant messaging and email are used by millions in the UK every single day.In future you will be able to buy a 3 SIM for unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls for less than the price of a cup of coffee and talk for as much as you want without ever paying us another penny."

The move will certainly be welcomed by 3s customers, as well as by Skype itself. Skype president Josh Silverman commented: "Demand for mobile access from our users has never been higher. The introduction of unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages across all 3 price plans is a really exciting move from a key partner. 3 UK clearly understands the desire for people to use Skype wherever and whenever they want. This is the first mobile network to show this kind of innovation to enable their customers to access Skype."

In fact, as well as being consumer-friendly, the move will almost certainly benefit 3, as according to mobile-phones.co.uk, 3 UK has found that, counter to what you might expect, regular Skype users use more traditional voice minutes than non-Skype users, and are less likely to switch networks.

Check out 3s mobile broadband offers here.