LUXEMBOURG-Skype Technologies S.A. notched another wireless deal this week, announcing a joint venture with China-focused wireless Internet portal Tom Online Inc.
The companies plan to develop and market a stripped-down Chinese version of Skype’s Voice over Internet Protocol offering. The move builds on an existing relationship that has seen 3.4 million Tom Online users register for Skype’s service.
Tom Online, which boasts more than 70 million customers, will control the business with a 51-percent stake, while Skype will hold the remaining 49 percent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“In less than a year since beginning our cooperation with Skype, we have seen robust growth in user numbers,” said Wang Lei Lei, Tom Online’s chief executive officer. “It indicates Chinese Internet users’ readiness to take advantage of the latest communication technologies available.”
Skype inked its first wireless partnership last week with German operator E-Plus. E-Plus said it will bundle Skype software with its wireless service, allowing subscribers to use Skype to access the Internet through laptop data cards.
Shares of Tom Online were down 29 cents to $14.70 on the Nasdaq in mid-day trading Tuesday. The company’s stock is also traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
