3 and Skype joint venture

Skype is a software that allows you to use your computer and internet connection to communicate with anyone and is the best-known provider of conversation over the internet.

Ebay division, Skype, and the mobile phone provider 3 have launched a mobile handset that lets users make free calls over the internet.

The phone is being launched in 9 markets including the UK, Australia and Italy, with a roll-out into other countries under review. In the UK, the phone will cost £49.99 on a pay-as-you-go basis and will be free for 3 contract users. It will be on sale in 3’s stores from this Friday.

Both companies announced today that the new 3 Skypephone could also send free Skype instant messages. Frank Sixt, finance director of 3-owner Hutchison Whampoa said they hope to sell several hundred thousand units globally in the final quarter of 2007.

Kevin Russell, chief executive of 3 UK, said the firm wanted to make mobile internet more accessible. He added that services need to be simple to access and affordable. Mobile has the potential to massively increase access to internet calling.

Skype has approximately 246 million registered users worldwide and is one of the firms reshaping the global phone industry. The group was bought by EBay for $4.3 billion two years ago.

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