Skype Mobile App Coming To Verizon Wireless, Use On-Network To Be Allowed

A sweeping change is hitting the mobile industry, and we're not just talking about 4G. It's VoIP, and it has been around for years in the PC world, but is just now gaining ground in the mobile world due to carrier's being reluctant to support it. Operators have long feared that enabling the use of Skype or any other VoIP calling software would eliminate the need for users to purchase those expensive minutes, but considering that the use of minutes is already declining thanks to mobile-to-mobile and the growth of texting, now is as good a time as any to have a change of heart.

Verizon Wireless, which was previously known as one of the most restrictive carriers in America, will be allowing Skype calls on their network starting on Thursday. Before, Skype Mobile could only be used over Wi-Fi, but as of March 25th you'll be able to make those called on VZW's network. It will only work on a number of BlackBerry devices at first, but more phones are expected to gain support soon. Ready to scale back your plan? Looks like you'll be able to starting later this week if you're a huge fan of Skype.

From Thursday 25th March, if you’re a Verizon customer with a smartphone and a data plan, you’ll be able to download Skype mobile.

It’ll help you stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues all over the world, by allowing you to:

• make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to anyone else on Skype around the globe
• send and receive unlimited instant messages with other people on Skype
• call international phone numbers at our low rates

Initially, the app will work on BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS by HTC and the Motorola DEVOUR. We’ll add support for more phones and platforms later this year.