BlackBerry Apps

Skype Mobile Now Available for Verizon Users ... But What About Other Carriers?

by Bla1ze

on 25 Mar 2010 09:00 AM

177

Skype Mobile Now Available For Verizon Users But What About Other Carriers?

As we already know, Skype Mobile has been rolled out to Verizon Wireless users at this point. The application is being pushed out to devices this morning to make for easy downloading. But now that it is here, we kind of have to wonder what exactly this means for Skype on BlackBerry as a whole. Its been quite a while since Skype made the initial announcement of their intentions to arrive on the BlackBerry platform and in a way, they kind of have really made good on that news. However, I'm quite certain an exclusive deal with Verizon wasn't exactly how BlackBerry users envisioned when Skype released their very limited beta.

So what exactly happened? Was the beta testing phase abruptly stopped and seemingly shut down due to a deal made with Verizon? Could this be part of the reason no one at Skype wanted to answer direct questions about when exactly Skype was coming to BlackBerry? Sure seems that way as I see it. In any case we certainly don't have and likely never will have any answers as to what the future holds for Skype on BlackBerry. But we can still hope that Skype will do right in the long run and make the app available to all BlackBerry users. In the meantime, any Verizon users now using Skype? Let us know in the comments what you think of the service on your device.

Verizon Users Can Click Here For More Information About The Skype Mobile App>>

Filed Under: BlackBerry Apps; Tags: carriers, Skype, Verizon

177 Comments

Posted by the brother Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

SKYPE is all hype

Posted by afrovballpride Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Annoyed with the notice that it doesn't work over Wi-Fi. Stupidest limitation ever, Verizon Wireless.

Posted by kbrosnihan Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Just spoke with VZW Rep. It needs DATA turned on to use- If I'm in Mexico and need to make a "FREE" Skype to Skype call to the U.S. I need to have DATA turned on which will cost me!!! NOT FREE! If WiFi worked I could use the hotel's internet (WiFi) and use Skype 2 Skype calling for FREE for real.

Posted by kbrosnihan Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Here is an email I sent to Skype and VZW:

How can I make Free Skype to Skype calls if I am in Mexico using Skype Mobile on my Blackberry Storm 2 and I want to call a Skype user in the United States.

Skype cannot use my Storm's WIFI. (I was hoping to use the hotel in Mexico's WiFi service) So I will be forced to turn my DATA on and be charged (Roaming Data) fees.

How will Skype to Skype calls behave if I am using Skype Mobile outside of the U.S.?

With out being able to make free Skype to Skype calls internationally (like advertised) I am struggling to find the major benefit in this application.

Please get back with me on a solution that will allow me to make free skype calls to other skype users while I am out of the U.S. Additionally, please forward my feedback to the Skype Mobile team.

Thank you,

Posted by ushneb Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 688 days ago

They want your money so I don't see them doing that. This way they ensure themselves data revenue. You pay for the Global data and you get to use Skype. I just wonder if you'll be dinged for the call to the Atlanta call center that all calls are routed through.

Posted by arundc Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 688 days ago

Yes you have to pay for it but it works and it's pro-rated...you only pay for the days you were travelling. Verizon could have made it available through WiFi but this is all business and revenue. For the unlimited data plan I have here in the US, Skype to Skype (domestic or int'l skype ID calls) works fine and is awesome.

Posted by para501 Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I use Skype with my field services techs and it is great works well for IM and voice when needed. No troubles so far.

Posted by mjbesen310 Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Used skype already this morning! worked great! Love it! way to go Verizon!

Posted by ewap Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Any chance a non-vendor specific version will be released to us outside the US?

Posted by Rlmcs337 Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I am willing to pay the $14.95 a month to Toktomi and have fantastic service on my berry as well as the softphone ability on my laptop when traveling.

Posted by lbrenes Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I have punched in my number on both the verizon and skype pages but nothing is showing up in the phone. Link to install please?

Posted by AgentScribe Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

BlackBerry overnight.

Posted by afrovballpride Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Go directly to Skype's website. I think it's skype.com/m for the mobile download.

Posted by metro0308 Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

www.skype.com/vzw

Posted by kiddreamr Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

LOVIN IT!

Posted by mrjackson Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Skype wont work on other carriers because of how it's designed. All the calls go over Voice, not Data. Verizon and Skype do not bill for this, but another carrier would, as would Skype when it's from another carrier.

Posted by Bla1ze Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

You do realize that's by choice right? My iPhone has Skype on it. My HTC Magic has Skype on it..it's just they chose to lock BlackBerry devices to Verizon only at this time.

Posted by UnicyclistRobe Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I downloaded it and the interface is simple, but nice. Seems like it will work very well. I need someone to get online so I can call them. :-P

Posted by Gawain Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Download and install were smooth. Just waiting for one of my friends to wake up...lol

Posted by Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

an someone just tell me if the trackballs are the same in the curve and pearl series as they are in the bold 9000? Other then the difference of chrome ring and met

Posted by cyrusrayne Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Wrong place to ask dude

Posted by Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I asked on the forums and no one seems to want to help me...

Posted by dgburns Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

So you think trying to hijack a discussion thread about Skype will help get you an answer?

Posted by KyleStormSure Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Bahahahahaha jackass.

Posted by pivaska Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I have a storm and every time I click the text message link I get the notice that it is not available for my phone. I have verizon for my carrier. Anyone else havin' a prob?

Posted by dpizzo Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

i had a couple of problems as well. First i tried downloading through Opera and got the same message as you about it not being available for the Storm. then i tried opening the link through the native browser and got an error message. The way i got it to work was by just typing the url in the browser. Good luck.

Posted by CronVandy Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I have the 9550. The website says it supports it. Not sure whats up, maybe overloaded servers.

Posted by pivaska Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I did what was suggested further on by changing from BB browser to Internet browser and type in the link myself. I then downloaded ok.

Posted by knix Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I have a Storm 9530, and I am getting the same as you. Says "sorry, skype is unavailable for your mobile phone".

What Gives?

Posted by reddoorway Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

same message for my Tour

Posted by kbrosnihan Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Make sure you are using the Default browser and not Opera or something else. Make sure your browser settings reflect your phone as being a Blackberry, not IE or Firefox. Check the options within the browser. It works great on my 9550. Wondering how I will make "Free" calls when in Mexico since I cant use it with WiFi...

Posted by Mouseworks Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I downloaded iSkoot and use Skype on my BB with T-Mobile, but I've only used it for chat so far, and have never needed it for voice, so not sure how good that part of the service might be .

Posted by Dnomyar220 Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Can someone tell me what is the benefit of SKYPE? I have an unlimited call/data plan through sprint. Does that mean SKYPE wouldn't be of any use to me since I have unlimited minutes already? or are there other benefits?

Posted by anastasiophan Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I use it to talk to my brothers who are living in Thailand. They have skype on their computers and used to have to pay to call my cell phone if they needed to talk to me. Now, because I am logged into skype on my phone, they can call my skype account free of charge and reach my on my cellphone.

I can also call them (at their computer) from my cell phone free of charge.

If I wanted to call their cell phone's over in Thailand, it will be FAR cheaper through skype than it would through Verizon's voice network (pennies on the dollar).

Posted by AgentScribe Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

for international calling would be Google Voice, if you have it. But, I like that I can now talk to certain international customers of mine free with Skype, plus have the mobility convenience of Skype. It might just force me to stick with VZW a bit longer than I anticipated...part of their master plan?

Posted by kbrosnihan Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I will be vacationing in Mexico. Skype won't work over WiFi - How can I make FREE Skype to Skype calls to people in the US?

Meaning no DATA charges and no Voice charges?

That would make it worth while.

Posted by tyler.hopkins Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 688 days ago

This is like your third time complaining bro....get over it already.

Posted by kbrosnihan Friday, Mar 26, 2010 688 days ago

I'm not gonna lie. Its a bummer for me. I travel a lot and to be able to make free calls using Skype would have been huge. I guess I read too much into their marketing... “If it's too good to be true...” right?

Posted by dgburns Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Well first of all it wouldn't be of ANY use to you since you have Sprint.

Posted by Azothyran Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

It's awful featureless, and the GUI seems minimalistic. It doesn't work over WiFi (yet) but it does do Skype IM and allows me to make free phone calls to my friends in Canada, New Zealand...etc. I suppose that's all I could ask for!

Posted by stubbornswiss Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Free calls to Canada & New Zealand? And you're complaining?

What more could you ask for? You want skype to PAY you to make your calls?

C'mon.........

Posted by kbrosnihan Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

@skypemobile How do I make FREE Skype2Skype calls from Mexico to U.S. using skypemobile w/VZW on BB Storm2? Where's the benefit?

Posted by Azothyran Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 688 days ago

If you read my post more carefully, I wasn't complaining, dork. The app lacks features, but I'm glad that it does what it advertises.

Posted by LoSt180 Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

It it pretty minimal for now, and I guess it doesn't really need to work over WiFi yet since calls are over the Vz voice network and IM's don't take a whole lot of bandwidth. I would like to see video soon, even if it's just me streaming one way to someone else. We have a baby due soon and family far away would like to "be there."

Posted by anastasiophan Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

For something like that, just use your webcam on your laptop over wifi. We can't get it all at once, especially without a front facing camera.

Posted by plex03 Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

Manually enter the address www.skype.com/vzw into your browser. It will work that way.

Posted by cdeye Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I just did a show all icons and it was already on my storm 2 this morning like our sweet bing icon. Then I just installed it, looks really cool, I wish google voice would get there act together with that app!

Posted by BlackObsidian Thursday, Mar 25, 2010 689 days ago

I was having the "Sorry, Skype is unavailable..." error also. I changed my browser from "Blackberry Browser" to "Internet Browser" and was able to download.