Skype on the iPhone is old news, but the most frequent complaint about the iPhone app is that it doesn't work over AT&T's 3G network -- you have to be in WiFi range to make or receive a Skype call. Meanwhile, those of us with other smartphones haven't even had that capability, hitting our heads against shaky, unfriendly voice-over-IP (VOIP) implementations such as Sipdroid. But today's announcement of a partnership between Verizon and Skype promises to bring Skype to thousands of Blackberry and Android phones, putting pressure on AT&T to allow iPhone users the same privilege.
What's all the fuss about? Well, suppose you have limited airtime minutes per month. And suppose you are frequently (but not always) in range of WiFi. If you have Skype on your phone, you can tell your contacts to call you on Skype instead of your phone number and save your airtime minutes for other people who don't use Skype. (If you make international calls, you can save a bundle by making those via Skype, too.) But if Skype only works when you're in range of WiFi, then you're tied down to your home or your office, much like you were before you had a cell phone in the first place. Now suppose you can use Skype over 3G as well ... the cord is cut, and you're free to roam ... at least within your 3G service area. Whether or not AT&T's 3G coverage is as spotty as Verizon claims it is, it's still a lot more extensive than WiFi coverage!
Skype over 3G offers even more benefit to people who have unlimited data plans but limited voice minutes per month, and that is almost certainly why AT&T has not allowed Skype to use 3G so far, and that is almost certainly what Verizon is taking a big ol' pot shot at with this latest move. I for one can't wait to see AT&T's response!
Hey Ben, this is exciting
Hey Ben, this is exciting news! I love skype. My mom is in Thailand and we talk over skype every week or so. Skype makes it so easy to stay in contact with friends overseas. It would be great to be able to use it via 3g!
this is great
This is great! I do almost all of my business calls on Skype over my computer - and I also have a Skype Phone Number. I've been waiting for this. Now I would prefer to use it on an iphone....but if what you say is true, my best bet would be an Android phone with Verizon service.
Don't give up on iPhone
Well, despite what you might think from the content of many of the Google ads on this site and the critical tone of some of my blog entries, I'm not trying to steer anyone away from the iPhone! I just think Apple (and AT&T) could do better. It's my hope that this move by Verizon will light a fire under AT&T to loosen up their policies a bit.
clarification on Skype for Android
Now that Skype has released an update that allows the app to work with my Droid Eris phone, I have a clarification to make: whereas the iPhone app works only over wi-fi, the Android app works only over 3G! You actually have to turn wi-fi off to use Skype for Android. And the app explains that domestic calls are actually made over Verizon's voice network rather than over VOIP, so you're only using VOIP if you make international calls. And since Verizon phones aren't GSM, you can't use them outside North America, so that means the VOIP only kicks in if you're in North America calling another country.
None of this is news if you've read about this app elsewhere; I'm just posting it here in case you haven't read about it elsewhere.
So basically, the only way I can see this app being useful to me is if I'm expecting a Skype call and I want to be mobile. The person calling me with Skype gets to make the call for free, as if I were using Skype at my computer, but I have to pay airtime because I'm not at my computer. Similarly, if I want to call someone who's sitting at a computer with Skype, I can make that call at no cost to them and at regular airtime rates for myself, which would save me money if they're in another country.
Oh, also I have access to my full Skype address book and instant messages and whatnot, which would be more useful if I used those features more often.
So iPhone owners take heart: your Skype app is more cost-effective than Android's Skype app! Provided you stay within wi-fi range.