Comments on: 3′s Skypephone marketed to the masses

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:11:00 +0000

HI Mark,

Matt from 3mobilebuzz here, just thought I’d drop you a quick reply to say that the Skypephone does not support HSDPA, it may be worth you checking out the FAQ at http://3skypephone.com/english/faq.html if you have anymore questions, or let me know by emailing me at matt@3mobilebuzz.com.

Thanks,

Matt

By: AJ

AJ — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:07:56 +0000

MarkW: Strictly speaking skype calls via 3uk do not rely on 3′s data connection. Logging in and establishing a list of Skype is the only data reliant phase. The actual call is routed from your mobile to a gateway and is treated just like any normal 3UK phone call. Only then is the call carried over an internet connection in the same way any skype call is and any loss in qulaity is actually nothing to do with 3. Actually in my own experience skype seems to have really gone down hill recently but that is a different matter.

By: MarkW

MarkW — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:05:42 +0000

I love this bold new concept but I can’t help but be dubious about how usable it actually is. I’ve got 3UK’s X-Series, so plenty of data on tap, and their customised Skype client on my N-series phone and it’s almost impossible to hold a useful connection in order to have a conversation with it.

Okay so my N73 isn’t HSDPA. Is the Skypephone? Even if it is, that coverage is still patchy. Not too bad when using the dongle for data, but for calls? Hmmm. Are 3 prioritising data for Skypephone users perhaps?

It’s not a product for me because I’m happy to buy ‘proper’ minutes, and I hope this works because 3 are by far the most innovative network, but it has the potential for a huge backfire if they can’t provide workable service for those phones that are rapidly disappearing off the shelves… Just thinking aloud…