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Nokia to Pre-Load Skype on N-Series Smartphones

6:15 am on February 18, 2009 | Category: Cell Phones, Mobile Devices, Software, VoIP

The world’s leading mobile phone manufacturer, Nokia, has announced plans to pre-load Skype’s VoIP software onto a number of N-series smartphones, beginning in the third quarter of this year.

Skype, which allows users to make virtually-free long distance calls over the internet, is already available for download on most smartphones. The Nokia deal, however, will integrate the software with address books and other features, making it easier to use.

“We believe that mobile is incredibly important to our future,” commented Skype CEO, Josh Silverman, in an interview with Reuters at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, noting that the partnership would lead to a “superior experience” for Nokia smartphone users.

Mobile service providers have traditionally been wary of Skype, fearing an erosion of mobile voice revenue. The corresponding increase in data usage has created a new source of revenue for carriers, however, with one company, ’3′, reporting a 20% more revenue from customers that use Skype.

Silverman says that Skype users are more likely to sign flat-rate mobile data plans with carriers, which leads to an increase in customer loyalty and encourages users to try out additional mobile data services.

The new partnership with handset giant, Nokia, will likely push more carriers to try and work with Skype, rather than against it.

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