This is kind of major. As many of you Skype aficionados know, Skype made an interesting move recently by developing a Skype for iPhone application that lets mobile users use its free Skype-to-Skype or inexpensive Skype-to-phone services right on the iPhone. The spoiler? The application isn’t allowed to use AT&T’s 3G data network to connect (at least not yet) – and only works through WiFi. This makes sense, of course: otherwise people would stop using AT&T’s minutes and enjoy unlimited calls on Skype for a low, low monthly fee. (Which is kind of like IT MAX Group’s unlimited flat-rate IT support service when you think about it… sorry, couldn’t resist).

Anyway, the word is that Verizon and Skype worked out a deal where Skype can now use Verizon’s data network to carry its voice traffic. Users still can’t make Skype-to-phone calls this way (again, Verizon would be dumb to allow this), but Skype-to-Skype calls are now effectively free. So if you use Skype as much as we do at IMG, you will now be able to do this anywhere you have Verizon 3G coverage — and not use a single minute in your plan! The application can even continuously run in the background, which means you can receive Skype calls as well.

Taking a broader view of this, two things are interesting:

• This move by Verizon marks continuous convergence of voice and data service — something we’ve seen for a while now on the land line side of telecom, but something that’s just starting to emerge in wireless.
• Verizon is so jealous of AT&T’s high uptake on wireless internet services packages (driven by the iPhone and its awesome applications) that it’s ready to cannibalize some of its core wireless voice business to get its customers to buy data plans.

If you’re interested in the service, keep an eye out on Skype and Verizon — I’m sure more details will follow.