3 offers free Skype voice calls on their network
In a world’s first, 3 is offering all those with Skype enabled phones free Skype-to-Skype calls and IM from 1st May. Whether you’re pay-as-you-go or contract you will not have to pick up a penny of the cost for your Skype data so long as you have a 3 Skype-enabled handset and you are calling within the network. In theory, all you’ll have to do is buy a 3 SIM, stick it in a Skype-enabled phone and away you go.
What’s more, for the summer, 3 is extending the deal such that anyone on an unlocked 3G handset will be able to take advantage of the offer whether or not they’re on 3’s network.
The deal looks like a fantastic way for the youngest of the networks to grab a whole load of customers and pick up the money from the non-Skype calls at the same time. It’s an excellent move and really good offer. Time to fork out the £1.99 for a 3 SIM.
CLARIFICATION:
Just had a word with representatives of 3 to understand all the ins and outs of the deal. Firstly, the offer has no end date at the moment. It is indefinite. Secondly, so long as the call is made over Skype then it doesn’t matter what network the recipient is on. So long as you are making the call from 3, then the call will be free. Presumably, though, if the other person is on another network, then they’ll be picking up a data cost at their end.
The service will work on all handsets so long as you can run Skype on them and you stick a 3 SIM into the back. Capiche?
S2 Skypephone Review: