Philips and Netgear to Launch Skype-Compatible Broadband Phones

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Philips and Netgear to Launch Skype-Compatible Broadband Phones

8:00 am on September 2, 2006 | Category: VoIP, Mobile Devices

Over the past couple of days, both Philips Electronics and Netgear have announced plans to sell Skype-compatible wireless VoIP phones that can simply be plugged into a broadband outlet with no computer required.

The Philips VOIP841 is based on Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications technology, and should hit stores sometime in December, according to Philips Consumer Electronics CEO, Rudy Provoost. Availability information for the Netgear model was not immediately made available.

In addition to making calls over any broadband connection, both devices can be plugged into an ordinary phone jack, and act as normal landline phones.

The new Skype phones will likely target less tech-savvy consumers, who aren’t comfortable with the idea of making phone calls “through a computer.”