VoIP Toolkit

Skype ties up wireless deal

Ben Charny CNET News

Published: 12 Jul 2005 14:50 BST

VoIP provider Skype and wireless hot spot operator Boingo Wireless will unveil a new initiative Tuesday that combines each company's respective technologies.

Skype is among the most popular providers of Internet telephony services for making inexpensive or free phone calls using the Internet. Boingo Wireless, founded by EarthLink creator Sky Dayton, makes available Wi-Fi technology to dispense high-speed Internet access (it's currently used in about 13,000 locations).

Additional details of the two companies' efforts weren't forthcoming on Monday. The companies have planned a conference call for Tuesday morning in the US to discuss the deal, the first between the two.

The dealings underscore the collision course of Net-based phoning and Wi-Fi. Typically, VoIP subscribers use a wired phone line, whether a single home phone or any number of phones in an office setting. But many service providers see an opportunity to create wireless versions of their services using Wi-Fi. Introducing the appropriate VoIP services and technology could turn hot spots into giant phone booths.

While this is Skype's first deal with Boingo, the hot spot aggregator is no stranger to VoIP. Earlier this year, New Jersey-based Vonage, the world's largest commercial VoIP operator and Boingo Wireless agreed to co-market each other's services. Boingo said it is working with handset makers to integrate its software into Wi-Fi-ready phones.