Though mobile operators say they want more open phone platforms and are moving toward packet-based 4G networks, they are stuck between a future of being “dumb pipes” like DSL or cable operators and a present in which the bulk of their revenue still comes from the sale of voice minutes.The arrival of Skype for the iPhone and BlackBerry platforms at last week’s CTIA trade show brought the issue to a head. The most popular VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) platform, which claims more than 405 million users, has now made it on to two of the hottest smartphone lines. A free Skype application is available now from Apple’s App Store, and software for two BlackBerry models is set to become available next month in beta testing. Skype lets users make free calls to other Skype customers and inexpensive ones to traditional phones.To read this IDG report in full, see:
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