Ushering Into The Free Wireless Calling Era: Motorola+Skype

Motorola and Skype have just announced a new powerful alliance giving way to a free wireless future for all user of Skype with a Motorola mobile phone.

The new alliance should bring seamless mobility and greater connectivity options and access for both of these companies global customer base. The intention of the two companies to work together is centered around a co-marketing collaboration strategy that will provide greater connectivity options and access for Skype's more than 25 million registered worldwide users. From whichever angle you look at this, the announcement heralds the dawn of a free wireless calling era.

Announced at 3GSM in Cannes, the collaboration will include co-marketing of Motorola's optimized 'Skype Ready' companion products, including Bluetooth headsets, speakerphones as well as delivery of the Skype Internet Telephony experience on select Motorola mobile devices.

"By making Voice over IP truly mobile and easily accessible, we can make communications seamless for consumers as they travel throughout the environments of their day - at work, at home, in the car, or out in the world," said Liz Altman, vice president of business development, Motorola Mobile Devices. "With over 68 million downloads of their client in the last 18 months, we believe Skype is a natural fit with our vision of simple and seamless connectivity for our consumer customers around the globe."

"Our alliance with Motorola is a major step forward in delivering the Skype experience to a whole new base of mobile device and accessory users," said Niklas Zennström, Skype CEO and co-founder. "Motorola is recognized worldwide for delivering innovative products and this collaboration advances our mission to offer expanded choice and mobility for Skype users worldwide."

Skype is the leading VoIP-category product worldwide, with more than 25 million registered users.
Motorola helmet headset HS830

Motorola 'Skype Ready' companion products are expected to be available in the first half of 2005.