Chicago (IL) - Beginning tomorrow, the Internet telephony giant Skype should release a mobile client for iPhone and iPod touch. The application will allow users to make free VoIP calls to other mobile and desktop Skype accounts, or to place cheap VoIP calls to landlines and mobile phone numbers, albeit only over the Wi-Fi network. The company also announced a Blackberry client slated for May, rounding up its initiative to expand aggressively into the lucrative mobile phone markets. Surprisingly, the advent of the most popular VoIP service for cellphones isn't chilling carriers anymore who have found ways to profit from the initiative.

The eBay-owned Internet-based telephony giant told NY Times that Skype for iPhone and iPod touch will finally be released this Tuesday with support for various Blackberry phones around May. These clients arrive on the heels of previously announced versions for the Windows Mobile and Android platforms (the lite version for Android is already available in the Android Market) and Intel MIDs. A number of Nokia-branded handsets were also promised compatible Skype client.

Mobile Skype looms

Just as in desktop Skype, the mobile client allows users to exchange instant messages, make free VoIP calls to other mobile or desktop Skype users, and even send and receive files over mobile platforms that allow users access to the phone's file system -- like Windows Mobile. In addition, the Luxembourg-based company said mobile Skype will allow users who purchased Skype credits to place calls to landlines and mobile phones around the world at rates several times cheaper than ordinary mobile phone calls, typically 2.1 cents a minute and up for landline calls.

Skype for iPhone:  Limited to Wi-Fi only

Skype for iPhone and iPod touch will most likely be limited to VoIP calls only over Wi-Fi networks due to Apple's agreement with carriers which prohibit VoIP applications from using their cellular network, thus protecting carrier's financial interests and bandwidth -- though interestingly, mobile Skype for most other mobile platforms allows VoIP calls over both Wi-Fi and cellular networks. This shouldn't come as a surprise since all AT&T's iPhone plans include unlimited 3G data. From AT&T's perspective, unlimited data may tempt users to use VoIP applications on the cellular network at the expense of voice minutes included in iPhone plans, thus decreasing their bottom line, thus a big no-no for the company.

You'd be right to argue that the AT&T shouldn't care since it collects a monthly fee for the selected plan regardless of whether or not iPhone owners spend all their allocated minutes or not. On the other hand, AT&T makes money by charging iPhone users for additional voice calls exceeding their set monthly minutes, and at a very hefty rate compared to the low- to no-cost Skype alternative now being offered. From this perspective, it's understandable that AT&T fears users who routinely exceed minutes included with their plans would immediately switch to VoIP services (like Skype) that offer free or significantly cheaper voice calls over the Internet.

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