Nokia Nseries to come with Skype in-built

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 17 February 2009 14:42

IT Industry - Market

Nokia is to integrate Skype client VoIP and messaging software into Nokia devices, starting with the Nokia N97 in the 3rd quarter of 2009.

N97 users will be able to see when Skype contacts are online and will also be able to use 3G data services and WLAN to make and receive Skype-to-Skype voice calls and Skype-out calls to landlines and mobile devices.  Skype will be added to other Nseries devices later.

However Skype could be added to more Nokia devices. Scott Durchslag, Skype's chief operating officer, said that the alliance with Nokia would "bring Skype new users who love Nokia's Symbian S60 experience."

However there is the possibility that some operators, through whom most handsets are sold, might view this potential revenue-eroding addition with some suspicion and decide that it not be included in the handsets they sell.