Skype Mobile for Verizon Wireless Available

Listen up you Verizon customers with Android 3g and BlackBerry 3g phones, you can now get Skype Mobile by texting ‘SKYPE’ to 2255 today! Yes it’s only available right now on a few select phones, but supposedly more support will be coming according to the PR..

Verizon Wireless and Skype today announced Skype mobile(TM) will be available Thursday, March 25.

Initially available on nine Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones, Skype mobile uses the Verizon Wireless voice network for the wireless connection of the Skype-to-Skype calls, providing its users with a superior experience and top-notch call quality.

Beginning Thursday, new and existing Verizon Wireless customers with Android 3G smartphones and BlackBerry 3G smartphones can get Skype mobile in a number of ways. Visit www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile from a PC to enter the mobile phone number to receive a text message with a link to the application. Verizon Wireless customers can also text "SKYPE" to 2255 to receive the link. In addition, Android customers will be able to download the app from Android Market(TM). New BlackBerry customers will find the application on their 3G smartphones’ home screens in the Downloads folder when activated.

Skype mobile gives Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans a simple new way to stay in touch with friends, family and business colleagues around the corner and around the world while on Verizon Wireless’ network. Skype mobile users can:

–  make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype
      Contact around the globe;
  –  send and receive unlimited instant messages with other Skype users;
  –  manage the Skype contact list directly from the mobile application;
      and
  –  call international phone numbers at competitive Skype calling rates.

"The ramifications and benefits of this collaboration are significant," said Steve Smith, president – South Central Region, Verizon Wireless. "Skype mobile will change the way mobile consumers in the United States make and receive calls. By enabling free Skype-to-Skype calls to anywhere in the world when made from the Verizon network, we’re giving current and future customers even more ways to connect with their friends, loved ones and business contacts. What’s more, now Skype users no longer have to rely solely on their PCs to make these connections – Skype mobile will give them access to this popular software wherever they go."

Russ Shaw, general manager of Mobile for Skype, noted, "Skype mobile will deliver an unparalleled experience for Verizon Wireless customers. It will be the best way to enjoy unlimited conversations with Skype contacts all over the world at no extra cost. In addition, Skype mobile will allow people to easily and inexpensively make calls to landlines and mobiles abroad at Skype rates."

Customers need a Verizon Wireless smartphone and data plan to use Skype mobile. Skype-to-Skype calls will not be charged against their monthly minute allowances or data plans. Verizon Wireless customers can visit www.skype.com to purchase Skype Credit to make Skype Out calls and make calls to international landline or mobile numbers.

Skype and Verizon Wireless have been working together to create this application specifically for Verizon Wireless customers and to take advantage of the most reliable wireless network in the United States.

Skype mobile will be available initially on millions of best-selling Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones, including the BlackBerry® Storm(TM) 9530, Storm2(TM) 9550, Curve(TM) 8330, Curve(TM) 8530, 8830 World Edition, and Tour(TM) 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS(TM) by HTC and Motorola DEVOUR(TM).

For more information about Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com or follow the company on Twitter at http://twitter.com/verizonwireless. Learn more about Skype at www.skype.com or follow the company at http://twitter.com/skypemobile.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 91 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) (NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ:VOD) . For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Skype

Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection for the PC is required. Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.

Source: Verizon Wireless

Web Site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/