iSkoot today announced a deal with Skype, where it will certify iSkoot and offer it for download from its site, then later the two companies will co-market iSkoot and Skype to mobile handset vendors and operators. It sounds like iSkoot could become the mobile version of Skype, despite the appearance of native smartphone versions Skype clients that could run over a cellular data connection, which look like they’ll probably be useful really only for usage over Wi-Fi.
iSkoot works sort of similarly to other Skype-to-mobile solutions: there’s an iSkoot application that runs on a user’s handset, through which they can access their Skype contact list. They can then initiate voice calls from the app to their friends, which causes the app to place a voice call to the iSkoot gateway, which connects them to the Skype network. The voice call then travels across it, if the user’s online, or across SkypeOut to the PSTN. Users can also receive calls to their Skype ID, the system then places a SkypeOut call to their mobile. (Yes, I know this system isn’t perfect and the costs may not make it attractive in some countries, but iSkoot says it’s currently targeted at US customers, so feel free not to not to jump all over me in the comments 
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The iSkoot service is currently free, but their site makes it sound as if they’ll eventually begin charging a flat fee for it. Because of this, the possibility of getting carrier deals could be a realistic one. Operators could sell this to their users as a service in a variety of ways, such as through a flat-fee with zero-rated data and voice service, or just offer it as a way to encourage voice usage. It’s likely that the calls on which iSkoot or other Skype-based services (typically international calls) offer users savings represent a small enough market that offering this kind of service on a flat rate, then perhaps getting some sort of revenue share from Skype, could have an overall positive effect, rather than taking away their lucrative international calls business.
Again, this illustrates the potential impact of VoIP on mobile, not as a direct replacement, but an indirect one which still relies on the operator’s voice network.
[tags]mobile, skype, iskoot, voip, mobile voip[/tags]
[...] Skype has just signed a co-marketing deal with iSkoot, a company which makes a program of the same name which allows Java-enabled mobile phones and smartphones to use the voice capabilities of Skype. iSkoot gives you full access to your Skype contacts as well as regular phone numbers via SkypeOut. Though using iSkoot still uses you minutes, if you use Skype a lot or make international calls, iSkoot could be pretty cost-effective. It’s currently free but the web site seems to hint that it will eventually be a subscription service. PC World and MobHappy have more details. [...]
[...] Skype has just signed a co-marketing deal with iSkoot, a company which makes a program of the same name which allows Java-enabled mobile phones and smartphones to use the voice capabilities of Skype. iSkoot gives you full access to your Skype contacts as well as regular phone numbers via SkypeOut. Though using iSkoot still uses you minutes, if you use Skype a lot or make international calls, iSkoot could be pretty cost-effective. It’s currently free but the web site seems to hint that it will eventually be a subscription service. PC World and MobHappy have more details. [...]
[...] It’s no secret that the idea of “mobile VoIP” is pretty hot right now. There’s a lot of talk about it, and lots of products — many mobile front ends to Skype, others clever workarounds that connect standard voice calls to a VoIP network. But perhaps there’s a third group now: mobile VoIP that simply just isn’t. [...]
Aren’t other companies doing this already? I’ve checked out Globe Dialer and Mino and it seems that Skype is behind on this one.