Skype offering Internet access from 500,000 hotspots

Stuart Corner
Monday, 14 February 2011 08:49

Your IT - Mobility

Skype has launched a partner program for WiFi hotspot operators, saying that operators presently providing access from 500,000 hotspots around the world have signed up.

However this has been the case since last December when Skype announced that it had struck an agreement with the world's largest hotspot operator, FON, adding 300,000 FON hotspots to the 200,000 already accessible to Skype users.

According to Skype, "Through the Skype Access partnership program, WiFi operators are able to generate additional revenues from untapped users who prefer pay-as-you-go models versus traditional vouchers.

Skype users with the latest Mac or Windows versions can connect to the Internet at any of these 500,000 hotspots for Skype voice and video calls, email, or simply surfing the web and pay for access using their Skype credit.

According to Skype's press release, prices start at $.06per minute. Skype Access partners include: BT OpenZone; Fon; M3 Connect; Row 44; Skyrove; Spectrum Interactive ; Tomizone and Vex.

However according to the Skype Access page on Skype's web site, the price is $014 per minute and there are only 200,000 hotspots accessible.