Verizon Wireless to expand Skype mobile reach

Verizon Wireless is set to strengthen its lineup of devices compatible with its exclusive Skype Ltd.’s mobile offering, saying that it will soon expand the platform to its so-called “3G Multimedia” phones.
These phones are slotted in below the carrier’s smartphone offerings and offer a number of advanced features without an established operating system. These devices include the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Reality, LG Electronics Co. Ltd. enV Touch and Nokia Corp.’s 7705 Twist. Verizon Wireless did not announce which devices would provide access to the Skype mobile service, but said it would be expanded beyond the current 12 smartphones running Google Inc.’s Android OS and Research In Motion Ltd. devices.
Verizon Wireless had originally announced the availability of the Skype mobile application at this year’s Mobile World Congress event, noting the service would allow customers to make free calls to other Skype users, international calls at Skype’s rates or regular calls to other phone numbers that would be charged to a customer’s bucket of minutes. The service does require a customer to have a data plan to support some of the features of the service, though calls are routed over the carrier’s voice network.
In addition to the upcoming increased device support, the carrier said it plans to add support for Korean and simple Chinese to the currently available Spanish and English language for the service. Verizon Wireless said the service will provide an updated user interface with a drop-down menu with flags for international dialing.