Skype to offer free texts

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A free feature that lets users send short text messages to mobile phones from internet phone service Skype was being made available for testing starting on Thursday. Prior to Thursday, people downloading the Skype software could only receive texts.

Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services such as Skype are based on the same technological underpinnings as instant messages, which appear on PC desktops. Net phone operators are using text messaging to create a bridge between mobile phones and PC desktops.

By closing the message loop, Skype has outdone Yahoo!, AOL and Microsoft, which make the most popular instant-message software. AIM, Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger only allow the sending of SMS, according to Marcus Williamson, managing director of Connectotel, which is providing Skype with the SMS service.

Talkback

hi i like to here this grate news and my plesure to use this service which providing by sky pee


thanks

via Facebook 25 February, 2005 19:30
Reply

In my experience MSN Messenger doesn't even let you send an SMS.

via Facebook 25 February, 2005 21:13
Reply

no, msn doesn't offer free texts! what's this all aboot?

via Facebook 26 February, 2005 12:21
Reply

What a great idea. Perhaps it will encourage mobile phone networks to reduce their outrageously high prices for sms text messages.

via Facebook 27 February, 2005 19:46
Reply

Actually users of AOL UK's client software can receive SMS as well as sending them. This functionality has been around for well over a year.

via Facebook 28 February, 2005 10:59
Reply

That's it. Contest over, Skype is the best messenger ever.

via Facebook 28 February, 2005 13:25
Reply

i would like to text my friends and talk to ppl

via Facebook 22 March, 2005 23:26
Reply

A few of my friends have been using Skype and S/Out for a while now. Everytime a low-cost communications alternative to BT arrives, I always wonder how much of the charges that I pay for BT actually is for the call

via Facebook 6 April, 2005 23:26
Reply

I think it's brilliant that someone is finally offering fee sms that is actually free, its about time msn caught on.

via Facebook 9 February, 2006 00:02
Reply

i think its great

via Facebook 22 March, 2006 15:48
Reply

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