3 UK to make Skype calls completely free

[andy]

London, 23 April. In a world first, 3 UK is opening up its network to allow anyone with a 3 SIM and a compatible handset to enjoy unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages without ever having to pay.

From 1 May, there will be no data charges or top-up fees for either contract or pay-as-you-go customers who use Skype on 3’s UK network. Anyone with a 3 Skype-enabled handset will be able to buy a 3 SIM and talk as much as they want to other Skype users without ever having to pay another penny.

3 Media Centre

Some people may say it's already free, but so far that has been conditional on either a contract or on making regular monthly top-ups on prepaid

whereas now:

• Unlimited free Skype-to-Skypecalling on pay-as-you-go tariffs with no need for monthly credit top ups. All new customers will need is a pay-as-you-go SIM from 3 costing £1.99, which can be used, initially in any Skype-compatible 3 handset.

So far there has been a 3 phone especially dedicated for Skype use, but it's possible on other phones too.

n.b. Skype calls aren't based on only data; in fact it's a GSM call though the user doesn't see that, and data is only used for presence info and so on

I think they are mad.

Although 3 think this will be a grand marketing ploy to draw in more customers, are they conceding a bit too much in this symbiotic relationship, when some people already have or will find workarounds to make free calls to pstn landlines as well?

How about visitors coming here and being able to call Skype friends and family at home for nothing ...

And will this also apply when roaming with 3 Like Home? I'd imagine the sister 3 networks having some difficulties agreeing to it - how about a group of people travelling to Italy or Sweden or the others and making free calls between themselves for the whole visit, and even giving SIMs to the people they will call locally.