Surprise! I have a Skype App

A couple of days ago I noticed a new app had been pushed to my Blackberry – the Skype app. I’ve never used Skype before, but I have been aware of Skype’s agreement to be available on some Verizon Wireless mobile devices. It seemed to be an odd arrangement to me since Skype’s VoIP is a direct competitor of Verizon’s. Although I don’t have the statistics to back it up, I would assume Verizon Wireless and more importantly Verizon Telecom lose market share to Skype as customers get rid of traditional landlines and switch to free/cheap VoIP. Since the app has magically appeared on my phone I’ve decided to find out some info on it. I came across an article on Wired.com which discusses the use of Skype on Verizon’s mobile devices and on the iPhone. http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/03/verizon-skype-less-than-mobile-voip-nirvana-but-were-getting-closer/

On the Verizon Blackberries users can receive Skype phone calls spontaneously since the Skype app can run in the background. This would be similar to leaving your computer on with Skype running in case someone calls. Skype users usually have to make arrangements to call someone, so both users are sitting at their computers at the same time with Skype on. Right now there are still limitations on receiving calls to your online numbers and using Skype Mobile to place calls to other cell phones. As mobile technologies evolve and the agreement between Skype and the wireless companies change, this may improve.

I don’t think Skype can fully replace a cell phone. I think it was a smart move for Verizon to try to bridge the gap between themselves and a VoIP service. This shows that the two technologies are capable of working together to benefit the user. Customers may think of Verizon in a better light for embracing new technology and increasing the convenience level for its users, rather than forcing them to make a choice between the two services. The company lost a lot of customers in the general shift from landlines to mobile phones. They may be trying to prevent the same thing as some customers move to VoIP services.