Sales of PC-free Wi-Fi Skype handsets taking off

IDG News Service - Sales of new Wi-Fi mobile handsets that use Skype Ltd. software and do not require a PC to make calls are gaining momentum ahead of the holidays, companies report.

The Wi-Fi mobile phones are rousing interest for two reasons: the low cost of using Skype services to make calls, and because people can use them more like a traditional mobile phone, without the aid of a PC. Skype, for example, is offering the WSKP100 by SMC Networks Inc. in a package on its Web site that includes the handset, a Wi-Fi router, 500 minutes of calls to regular mobile phones and landlines (SkypeOut) and 12 months of Skype voice mail for just £99 ($196).

"Sales are going great so far," said Brian Nickell, product manager at SMC Networks. He said SMC is currently selling its Wi-Fi Skype handset, the WSKP100, in North America, Europe and Asia, and that the company will release more local language models soon.

The Chinese-language version of the handset became available Tuesday in Taiwan. Users can download a firmware upgrade at SMC's Taiwan Web site.

The SMC model is identical to the VM1185T by Accton Technology Corp. and the F1PP000GN-SK by Belkin International Inc. for a reason. SMC is the U.S. marketing subsidiary of Accton, which developed the Wi-Fi handset.

The Taiwanese company reported that its overall sales in November rose 13% over October thanks to the handset, a sign that users may find them in their stockings this holiday season. The company's November sales reached NT$1.38 billion (US$42.7 million), up from NT$1.22 billion in October, it said Tuesday.

The Wi-Fi handset offers Skype V0IP (voice over Internet protocol) software, and features such as 802.11b/g compatibility with added security features to keep conversations private. Users can use the handsets anywhere they can access Skype services, such as Wi-Fi networks at Starbucks coffee shops or on college campuses. It automatically searches for Wi-Fi signals.

The SMC and Belkin versions of the handset can be found at reseller shops for around $190.