Skype goes mobile, as a native service on 3 Mobiles

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Free phone calls to Skype users. Free instant messaging to your buddies. Unlimited search and internet surfing. Your TV on the move. Your PC on your mobile. Your life where you go.

Skype, Orb, SlingMedia, MSN etc all for free..this looks like an unlimited data package but walled in with 3’s preferred suppliers. I guess it’s the first step towards what people want. We’ll just have to see what these X-Series rates are like, plus the news of a sale still hangs over 3 or is this an attempt to finally get out off the bottom slot of (Serious) mobile providers? [via]

It’s worth noting that these services will be over the 3G network not a higher bandwidth Wi-Fi network. So it’s interesting to see a 3g license holder being the first to lauch free Skype.

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EasyMobile UK shuts down

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Not really a shame but not great news for UK consumer choice. I recalled seeing Stelios about a year back at the Telco awards having a pop at all the telco’s in the room telling them he was coming to eat thier lunch. I guess it’s one of two things, A, it’s tough in the VMNO space or the Easy brand isn’t as hot as Stelios thinks. It’s probably a mixture of both. [via]

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An opportunity to change the Telco landscape?

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This is the last question in the Telco 2.0 survey and the one I found most thought provoking.

 Imagine you had the opportunity to change the Telco landscape (get out the magic wand). What would you change and why?

I put down three areas that I think need focus.

1. Provide a Naked DSL service. Who needs an ISP these days? (James is right). Allow even cheaper broadband access to the consumer and drive further growth in this space and allow even more people/businesses to get online. Why do we have to have a BT line, with rental each time we have ADSL??

2.  Right off 3G debts and allow the Mobile operators to innovate with Wireless and GSM. We’re seeing mobile devices with Wi-Fi but we’re not seeing it being embraced by the Mobile operators. We haven’t seen a Skype mobile client for this reason and they are all affriad of being cut out of the loop. So right of the 3G debts and let Carriers innovate in this space.

And Finally, Provide blanket Wi-Fi coverage of all major cities at a reasonable speed. This would provide the biggest boost to business/innovation and the communities that is possible. The business growth would be huge I’m sure.