14 DAY TRIAL // Less than a month ago, 3 became the first operator to offer Skype over mobile phones. The company now wants to take this initiative one step further, with the release of a cheap handset that will bring even cheaper conversations on the market.
It looks like a pretty bold decision coming from 3 to bring Skype services to its subscribers, as most other telecom operators fear the danger of great profit losses. Their plans seem to be pretty well set, as they intend to also launch a special handset that would make the best of this service.
The mobile phone that 3 intends on bringing out is being produced by far eastern manufacturers. No specifications or features for it have been revealed, other than the Skype compatibility. Because of this, there are high chances that it will be a low-end device that will come for a cheap price and will also bring affordable services.
The carrier brings Skype services at this time as well, although they are available only through the X Series platform. This brings Internet, phone and TV services to mobile phones in exchange for a monthly fee. This was supposed to reduce browsing costs and make Internet more accessible to a larger number of people.
"Customers are not just searching on the Internet now, they are using their broadband connections to take advantage of innovative services like Skype and Windows Live Messenger," said Susan Branchflower, head of marketing for 3. "We've embraced this trend and moved quickly to ensure that consumers can have the same choices when they're out and about on a night out as they would at home on their PC. The massive uptake for Windows Live Messenger on 3 in Ireland has shown just how significant mobile internet services are in the Irish market and X-Series is the next big step", she also added.
There are high chances for the Skype handset which will be available at 3 to be available for pre-pay and contract customers. Such handsets already exist out there, but having an operator offer them is unusual.