Verizon-Skype Partnership Expands, Consumers Benefit (VZ)

The working relationship between Verizon

and Skype has quietly expanded in recent days, as the phone carrier pushed Skype Mobile onto non-smartphones. While the news may seem tame, the partnership between Verizon and Skype has important implications for the average consumer. Skype Mobile allows users an unlimited amount of instant messages and phone calls over Verizon's network, at no additional cost. The service was previously only available on select Verizon BlackBerry and Android headsets. Moving the service to non-smartphones, however, will allow many more customers to use the Skype Mobile service without using their Verizon minutes. Should a greater proportion of consumers pick up the use of Internet calling, Verizon's revenue per customer could be reduced. To be sure, only a small portion of mobile users actively use Skype Mobile to keep in contact. The opportunity for expansion, however, cannot be ignored. The possibility of more calls without using minutes is certainly enticing for customers new and old. According to an Engadget.com report, "Samsung's $20-on-contract Reality, LG's $80-on-contract Chocolate Touch and the enV Touch are all displayed as being in support of Skype Mobile, leading us to believe that an even larger stable of VZW handsets may soon hop onboard." Shares of Verizon are slightly up this afternoon, to $30.20. See Some of the Top Moving Indexes