Skype has signed a deal with Nokia to embed its internet calling software into the Finnish manufacturer's handsets.
The company, owned by eBay, announced its partnership with Nokia, the world's largest mobile-phone maker, on Tuesday at Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona. Nokia will initially offer Skype on its high-end smartphones, the N-series.
Nokia's flagship N97 handset will be the first to have Skype embedded. While the N97 goes on sale in June, the Skype feature will start shipping on the device in the third quarter of 2009. The software will be integrated into the N97 address book, enabling users to see when Skype contacts are online. It will also let people use Skype's instant-messaging client.
In addition, N97 users will be able to make free and low-cost phone calls over the internet whether they are on a 3G cellular network or a Wi-Fi network. Skype-to-Skype voice calls are free, and the SkypeOut service, which allows calls from Skype to landlines and mobile devices, will be offered at low rates.
Nokia is not the only handset maker to announce a deal with Skype at Mobile World Congress. On Monday, Sony Ericsson said it will offer a Skype "panel" on its Windows Mobile Xperia1 device.
Adding Skype to smartphones could be a benefit for users, especially people who travel internationally, as international rates on standard mobile-calling plans tend to be high. Skype and other VoIP services can offer users a more cost-effective alternative.
