3 reveals the Skypephone to hacks

Rating: Qualcomm’s BREW is behind the Skype client
by Tony Dennis

Although the existence of the Skypephone from UK network operator 3 (Hutchison) was no longer a secret, the origins of the actual device were intriguing. It turns out that although the actual handset belongs to 3, it was Skype that initiated the project. So the VoIP specialist then went to Qualcomm who then connected with handset manufacturer, Amoi, to actually make the thing.
So this is the first time I’ve ever heard of Qualcomm’s BREW operating environment actually be employed for a serious business application in Europe. In Italy, for example, BREW has been utilised for gaming.

The point here is that it’s entirely feasible that the Skyephone could turn up in the hands of other operators where 3 doesn’t have a presence. That’s certainly the impression Skype CEO, Michael van Swaaij, gave the Press conference. Although 3’s CEO, Kevin Russell, hinted that 3 will enjoy exclusivity for a decent space of time - giving the company first mover advantage.
The most crucial point about the Skypephone is that not only are calls to other Skype users totally free, the same applies to Skype Chat instant messaging. I immediately asked whether this would not impact 3’s SMS revenues and Kevin Russell’s answer was impressive. 3’s business strategy is to acquire customers whereas the entrenched mobile operators’ position is a defensive one. He quite rightly pointed out that the existence of built-in Skype will help to reduce customer churn in the short term.
Priced at £49.99 on prepaid, this is very much a consumer product although Russell said a prominent businessman had called him at 7am to order one so that he could communicate with all his 10k employees.
The handset boasts a dedicated Skype button - shades of i-mode here - but there’s also a Launcher. This takes the user straight to a bunch of popular Internet applications -including eBay obviously. Strangely enough,however, the option taking you to Windows Messenger Live doesn’t work as the development hasn’t been finished yet.
What Russell obviously expects to happen is for Skypephone users to be enticed to add a data tariff to their contract or prepaid phone. That’s because - although there’s a free data connection to the Skype servers - all the rest of the Internet costs you money.

Related News:

1. 3 Skypephone international rollout
2. Skype go beta with Skype for Mobile
3. 3 to launch Qualcomm’s BREW
4. Xiam to supply content discovery and recommendations for BREW
5. Qualcomm Introduces Plaza, a New End-to-End Widget Framework that Will Allow Operators to Drive Use of the Mobile Internet