Page 13 - Sphere No.20 (Nov 2007)

SPHERE 11
3G
SMALL, SLIM AND STYLISH,
the brand new 3 Skypephone
packs a real punch. This break-
through phone developed exclu-
sively by 3 and Skype, the global
Internet communications company, combines the best of Inter-
net telephony with the convenience and portability of the mobile
broadband network.
The 3 Skypephone is the world’s first fully integrated Voice
over Internet Protocol (VoIP) handset. Making complex Inter-
net technology easy to use was the project team’s key objec-
tive when working with Skype and Qualcomm to develop the
phone. Now calls made over the Internet are as simple as a regu-
lar mobile phone call. And since 3 charges a flat rate for data,
calling other Skype users is free whether they are in England,
Hong Kong or Australia.
“We wanted to make the Skype calling experience no different
from any other call the user makes,” said Frank Meehan, Direc-
tor and General Manager of Global 3G Handset & Application
Group, Hutchison Whampoa Limited. “We wanted to make it
easy so that anybody can use it right out of the box. We are look-
ing to set Skype free!”
Weighing about 90 grams, the 3 Skypephone is the new post-
er boy for the convergence of Internet applications and mobile
broadband technologies. In addition to bringing access to the
Skype user’s contacts and presence information, 3 Skypephone
also enables users to quickly access popular social networking
sites such as Facebook through a fast Internet browser.
The popularity of VoIP communication software, that allows
people around the world to make unlimited voice and video calls
for free through the Internet, has grown in leaps and bounds since
its advent just a few years ago. Today, there are 246 million regis-
tered Skype accounts and the number is growing fast.
Because most Internet communication software is
run over a broadband network, Skype users previously
had to have access to their computer. That has changed
thanks to 3. With the world’s most extensive mobile
broadbandnetwork, 3 Groupprovides the ideal conduit
for users to take their Internet applications with them.
“3 Skypephone is the ultimate proof that Skype is
now truly mobile,” said Michael van Swaaij, acting
CEO at Skype, “This new handset is incredibly easy
to use and lets you make free mobile Skype calls when
you are on the move to other Skype users all over the
world nomatter where they are. It couldn’t be simpler – put Skype in
your pocket and make free Skype mobile calls and send free Skype
instant messages at the touch of a single Skype button.
“Skype began by offering free PC to PC calling and now we’re
doing the same with mobile calls with 3. Thanks to 3, Skype has
now taken a giant step forward in the mobile arena. It takes an in-
novative operator like 3 to challenge traditional thinking and offer
the kind of product other operators are still shying away from.”
Kevin Russell, Chief Executive Officer of 3 UK, where the 3
Skypephone was launched in November, said, “This sets Skype
free from the PC. It is exclusive to 3 and is the clearest demon-
stration to date of 3 bringing the real advantages of the Internet
to our customers. The 3 Skypehone is an affordable 3G handset
and marks the next logical step in the ongoing partnership be-
tween our parent, Hutchison Whampoa, and Skype/eBay.”
The swift and nimble phone, which changes between tradition-
al and Skype calling at the touch of one button, also ushers in a
cutting-edge business strategy for 3. Challenging the traditional
mobile phone’s business models, 3 is leading the way in the mo-
bile Internet sector as a pioneer in making Internet applications
easily accessible to its customers on the move.
The 3 Skypephone will be available in most 3 Group markets
and through Skype and 3’s Websites in late 2007.
Introducing the
3 SKYPEPHONE
The hottest
new mobile phone
on the market