Communication Breakdown
Communications from the world of, er, communications. And other stuff.
Monday 2 March 2009, 4:25 PM
Operators cautious over Skype-Nokia tie-in
Mobile operators have delivered mixed reactions to the news that Nokia will be preinstalling Skype on its N97 smartphone.
The N97, which is due to launch in June, will be the first of many Nokia handsets to include the internet telephony client, Nokia and Skype announced in mid-February. The deal means putting software onto those devices that allows free calling and instant messaging over Wi-Fi or the cellular data network, potentially reducing revenues for mobile operators.
T-Mobile UK is apparently keen on taking the N97 with the Skype client – a spokesperson for the operator told ZDNet UK on Monday that T-Mobile had traditionally been "more friendly than some other operators for VoIP services".
A spokesperson for O2 said that operator had not yet decided whether it would carry the N97. "We are working with Nokia to understand the service and the business model," the spokesperson said.
In April 2007, a row erupted after Vodafone and Orange removed VoIP capabilities from the Nokia N95, a predecessor to the N97.
A spokesperson for Vodafone told ZDNet UK on Monday that it is "looking at [the N97] with interest".
Orange's spokesperson said it was continually trying to find new ways to bring mobile services to its customers, but would only do so when it could "promise the best customer experience".
The N97, which is due to launch in June, will be the first of many Nokia handsets to include the internet telephony client, Nokia and Skype announced in mid-February. The deal means putting software onto those devices that allows free calling and instant messaging over Wi-Fi or the cellular data network, potentially reducing revenues for mobile operators.
T-Mobile UK is apparently keen on taking the N97 with the Skype client – a spokesperson for the operator told ZDNet UK on Monday that T-Mobile had traditionally been "more friendly than some other operators for VoIP services".
A spokesperson for O2 said that operator had not yet decided whether it would carry the N97. "We are working with Nokia to understand the service and the business model," the spokesperson said.
In April 2007, a row erupted after Vodafone and Orange removed VoIP capabilities from the Nokia N95, a predecessor to the N97.
A spokesperson for Vodafone told ZDNet UK on Monday that it is "looking at [the N97] with interest".
Orange's spokesperson said it was continually trying to find new ways to bring mobile services to its customers, but would only do so when it could "promise the best customer experience".
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