Nokia waves hello to Skype for Symbian

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Nokia users can now make use of Skype on their handsets thanks to a free download that brings the VoIP tech to Symbian-based smartphones.

The new Skype for Symbian software is available immediately for free from Nokia's Ovi Store and has an addressable base of some 200 million smartphones based on the platform.

Skype made its first major leap into mobile phones in mid February, striking a deal with the largest US mobile carrier Verizon Wireless.

“Symbian enables us to bring smartphones to more and more people and ensures scale for our solutions and compelling services, such as Skype," said Jo Harlow, senior vice president of Nokia's smartphones arm, in a statement.

"We’re seeing around 1.5 million downloads a day on Ovi Store now and believe that the Skype client for Nokia smartphones will have wide appeal to Symbian users."

Skype's free calls on computers have become an internet phenomenon since start in 2003 and it has some 520 million registered users around the globe. But so far it has made little progress in wireless, as most telecoms operators have seen it as a risk to their core business of voice calls.

“With Skype for Nokia smartphones, more than 200 million smartphone users worldwide will be able to take the Skype features they love with them on the move," added Russ Shaw, general manager of mobile at Skype, in a statement.

"Alongside Skype’s relationships with operators and handset manufacturers worldwide, making Skype available direct to consumers will help millions of users keep in contact with the people that are important to them without worrying about the cost, distance or whether they are away from a computer.”

Additional reporting by Maggie Holland, IT PRO

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