Skype Announces Mobile Partner Program

Skype today announced a Mobile Partner Program for operators in markets with low 3G broadband penetration. The new program follows operator partnerships that Skype has already launched with Verizon, KDDI and Hutchison 3.

The Mobile Partner Program is a simplified operator program that utilizes a purpose built client/server solution. The solution developed specifically for operators, enables use of Skype on a range of handsetsm, including smartphones and feature phones. Optimized for efficient bandwidth usage, the client keeps users connected with minimal impact on battery life and data usage.

"We see a growing demand for differentiated services from mobile operators across the world," said Russ Shaw, vice president and general manger of Mobile at Skype, in a statement. "The mobile operator program will give operators in emerging markets the possibility to tap into the global Skype community while providing a great user experience on a variety of mobile handsets."

Verizon has chosen to pre-install Skype on many of its forthcoming 4G devices, and Hutchison 3 was the first carrier to offer INQ's Skype-enabled feature phones.