3 Launch Skypephone In The UK
As expected I received 2 free Skypephones today courtesy of 3’s PR machine, as part of the new 3 Skypephone service launch today in the UK. The new mobile will allow users to make free calls to other Skype users, as well as free instant messaging. It’s a cute little handset, but I’m struggling to see how users will use it.
The Skypephone is a 3G handset, with an mp3 player, 2MP camera and internet access but it can’t make Skype In or Skype Out calls so you will still need to make normal mobile calls for most chats.
In the UK it will cost £49.99 on a Pay As You Go contract, but you have to spend a minimum of £10 a month in order to get free Skype calls. Contract customers can get a free Skypephone.
I could potentially give my second handset to my girlfriend who I spend a ridiculous amount of time on the phone with for free calls, but I get so many free mins on my T-Mobile price plan that I don’t need to save money and I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t want to carry a second handset around with her anyway.
The 3 Skypephone service will be available in the UK on the 2 Nov 07, and will be shortly available in Australia, Italy, Hong Kong, Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Republic of Ireland.
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Comment by Harishankar on 30 October 2007:
wow, something that I have been waiting for. But I still got to wait for it to be launched in our country.
Comment by horisly on 30 October 2007:
that’s great phone to allow users to make free calls to other Skype users, as well as free instant messaging.
Comment by Serg V on 30 October 2007:
Interesting ofer, but imho £49.99 expencive price, because most people skype use for reduce phone costs.
Comment by Sofna on 30 October 2007:
Nothing in the US huh? I dont see how this service will work out unless they can grab a pretty large market share.
Trackback by Telecom blog - Calling cards, wireless service on 30 October 2007:
3 Skypephone - new mobile for free phone calls…
Recently you don’t need a computer to make free calls anymore. Skype present new device 3 skypephone - this handset has been developed in in partnership with the mobile operator 3service.
It’s stylish device with 3G, a 2-megapixel camera, mp3 p…
Comment by Micah on 30 October 2007:
It sounds like a pretty neat phone, although more geared towards teens. It does sound like a cheap alternative to other Wi-Fi models, etc.
Comment by Marcus The Lover on 31 October 2007:
My intuition tells me it may fizzle after a year. Like the sat phone that died in 99′
Comment by ceedee on 31 October 2007:
I’m confused — why would you need to carry a second mobile?
Just place normal GSM calls through the SkypePhone. After all, isn’t that what you’re paying the £10/£12 per month for?
Comment by Ryan at LG on 1 November 2007:
Yes you can make regular calls with this phone as well so you wouldn’t need two phones at all .
3 are offering a £5/unlimited data package to go with it so that’s the cost per month of making the free calls with Skype.
You can get Skype as an application on phones already but what marks this out is the integration in the handset - this will be attractive to skype users. Plus contrary to Serg’s comment £50 for a 3G pay as you go handset is incredibly cheap.
Agreed though this will mainly be of interest to teens and the parents of teens looking to reduce billing costs and it looks like an excellent option
Comment by Matt on 1 November 2007:
The phone looks good, but I’m not a fan of the 3 network at all. I’m not sure if they just have poor coverage down here on the South Coast of the UK, but any friend of mine who has signed up with them has ended up regretting it within a few months.
Personally I have a T-Mobile contract with a ridiculously large amount of free minutes/texts - and barely manage to use 30-40% of them each month.
Comment by Everton on 1 November 2007:
I’m the same Matt - I don’t need VoIP as my T-mobile plan covers my needs
Comment by Matt on 2 November 2007:
A very wise choice too Everton - they give away an incredible amount of free minutes each month. I even managed to have 3 contract phones running at one point this year, although that’s a story saved for another time!
Comment by Sergio on 11 November 2007:
i dony see the point of skypephone. I’d rather buy a proper mobile
Comment by ceedee on 11 November 2007:
@Sergio - from what I’ve read, the Skypephone looks to be a pretty good 3G mobile phone. What do you want it to do that isn’t included?
Comment by Sergio on 12 November 2007:
I would say i would want a branded mobile phone. The sort of spec i would be interested in would be on a n95. sat nav. 5mp camera etc..
Comment by ceedee on 12 November 2007:
@Sergio - well I don’t think you’ll get anything like the N95 for £50 payg or free on a £12/month tariff!
But keep on looking!
Comment by Sergio on 21 November 2007:
@ceedee i hadn’t noticed that the skypephone was that reasonably priced
Pingback by December Competition: Win 4 Skypephones!! | Connected Internet on 7 December 2007:
[...] from Skype gave me two free Skypephones worth £49.99 each pre-loaded with £50 credit on the launch day. That’s £100 in real money, or over $200 in play [...]