Android 2.1 phones get Skype-over-Wi-Fi

Six months ago, Verizon and Skype came up with a jury-rigged method of running Skype services over the Verizon 3G network. It works, but it runs over Verizon’s voice network — in other words, it isn’t VoIP, it isn’t really Skype, and it doesn’t work like Skype.

That’s just changed. The folks at Skype now have a full-fledged VoIP Skype that runs on most Android 2.1 or later phones. One little hitch: In the United States, you can only use it over Wi-Fi. Your 3G connection won’t cut the mustard. (Outside the United States, it runs on any available connection.) Verizon customers can still run the old non-VoIP pseudo-Skype over 3G: “For U.S. customers… To use Skype on an Android phone over a 3G connection, you must be a Verizon Wireless customer and use Skype mobile.”

There’s speculation that Skype zapped 3G access in the United States for fear of a carrier revolt. If you were selling long distance minutes over a 3G connection and suddenly Skype came along and VoIP’d your revenue stream, you wouldn’t be too happy about it either, eh? Other industry observers think it may be due to contractual strings with Verizon, but there no definitive word as yet. In comparison, iPhone’s version of Skype works over Wi-Fi and 3G.

The usual Skype goodies apply: free Skype-to-Skype calls and conference calls anywhere; free IMs to and from Skypers; and deep-discount calls to any phone, anywhere, using Skype Credit, Pay per Minute, or Pay per Month.

Skype on your phone automatically syncs with the contacts on your PC. Download the program and install it — it runs continuously in the background, where you can get at it any time via the notification bar. (You can manually shut it down from info/status.)

Skype advises that it’s tested the new program on HTC and Motorola phones running Android 2.1 and above, and it works fine: “It may work on other Android phones, but we can’t guarantee full functionality or compatibility. We’re aware of some problems with the Samsung Galaxy S, and we’re looking to address these in the future.” One blog post from Skype suggests that the Galaxy S will work, but only with Android 2.2.

Skype for Android isn’t available in China or Japan.

This article, “Android 2.1 phones get Skype-over-Wi-Fi,” was originally published at InfoWorld.com. Get the first word on what the important tech news really means with the InfoWorld Tech Watch blog.