CTIA2009: Skype Coming to BlackBerry Smartphones in May

After releasing its application for iPhone, Android-powered devices and other Java-enabled mobile phones, as well as for Windows Mobile, Skype announced at CTIA WIRELESS 2009 in Las Vegas that the lite version of Skype, a 'thin' Skype client for mobile phones, will soon be available as a free download for BlackBerry smartphones.

A beta version will be available in May for the BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Curve smartphones, with support for other BlackBerry smartphones coming later.

The lite version of Skype delivers core Skype capabilities to BlackBerry smartphones, including:

• Make Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world
• Send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups
• Make Skype calls at low rates to people on landline or mobile phones
• Receive calls to your online number on Skype
• See when your Skype contacts are online/available to chat

The application works without needing a Wi-Fi connection. It uses local air time and a mobile Internet connection to sign in to Skype, update contact list and presence and to send/receive calls or messages. As a result, it’s necessary to have both a calling plan and a data plan to use the lite version of Skype.

Skype will be available to BlackBerry users worldwide. The ability to make calls will be available in 10 countries: Australia, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, the United States and the UK.

English will be supported first, with additional languages to follow. Those who download the beta version will be able to provide feedback on the application via an online survey.