February 15, 2006
Skype's free internet calls to be offered on 3 network
Skype, the provider of free phone calls over the internet, yesterday clinched an important deal with mobile phone operator 3 which will see its service offered across the company's five networks, including in Britain, later this year. The Guardian reports.
"The deal, the first of its kind, represents a significant threat to operators such as Vodafone who are trying to protect revenues from traditional networks while moving customers onto new 3G networks.
In contrast, 3 does not have any legacy revenues to protect, owning only 3G networks, so can offer free calls to Skype users as it attempts to increase its customer base from its current 11 million.
... The rest of the mobile industry accepts that VoIP will transform its business model, making calling in effect free, but had hoped it was a few years down the line while it readjusted its business model."...
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