KDDI and Skype strike up partnership

Skype as well as Japanese carrier KDDI have struck up a strategic alliance which will see the integration of Skype across KDDI’s services, and the first fruits of this partnership would begin with its mobile offerings – “au”. Skype will at first be made available on the au Android smartphone “IS03” and “IS01” from November 2010 onwards, where this will branch out to other au Android devices alongside BREW devices from 2011 onwards. Basically, this means KDDI network subscribers can enjoy Skype conversations wherever they are, since Skype will be running in the background. At launch, users can make unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user in Japan as well as globally without being charged against their monthly minute allowance or data plan. Sounds extremely liberating, don’t you think so? Do you think the presence of Skype on mobile devices will eat into the profit margins of mobile carriers? [Press Release]