While this functionality has been available on the iPhone since a January update to the SDK, and while other apps such as Fring have enabled 3G VOIP calling through their apps, Skype has been noticeably absent from the VOIP over 3G landscape. Until today.

One of the reasons may be that VOIP over 3G isn’t 100% perfect yet. The 3G data network isn’t always reliably fast enough to ensure a level of call quality on par with that of standard voice phone calls or VOIP over wifi. Skype wants to ensure that their users enjoy a positive experience every time they use their product, so limiting 3G calls until the technology improved was in line with this strategy.

Why they are allowing 3G calls now seems to be answered in the press release: “The new version features an enhanced call quality indicator, which will help you choose the best moment to call.” Sounds like a 3G signal strength meter to me. Still, it’s nice to have some estimate of how good your call will sound before you make it.

In addition, there are some tweaks to the app. A faster start up time and some UI changes to allow quick access to the dial pad from the home screen will improve usability.

One interesting thing to note is that while Skype-to-Skype calls over wifi are always free, Skype-to-Skype calls over 3G are free for now. Skype-to-Skype over 3G will be free until the end of 2010, and after that, well, pricing options are being considered. It probably won’t be much though, considering how low Skype’s rates are now.

Maybe we will begin to see 3G (or 4G?) data + skype plans coming out with smartphones in 2011 without a standard voice plan.

Skype for Symbian enables Nokia smartphone users to:
- Make free Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world*
- Save money on calls and texts (SMS) to phones abroad
- Send and receive instant messages to and from individuals or groups
- Share pictures, videos and other files
- Receive calls to their existing online number
- See when Skype contacts are online and available to call or IM
- Easily import names and numbers from the phone’s address book

This gives Nokia an added boost in the face of decreasing marketshare at the hands of Android and the iPhone. The inclusion of the Skype VOIP app will allow users to make voice calls over their 3G data connection, rather than use up their (relatively) expensive voice minutes.

Mobile VOIP seems to be the way of the future, as data speeds increase, and data plans become (slowly) cheaper. It will be interesting to see how the telcos adapt, as voice plans and all of their additions such as SMS, voicemail, caller ID etc, are their bread and butter right now, and these features are all included for free with a $3/month Skype unlimited calling plan, and/or Google Voice.

Fring Blog

You wanted it, immediately after Apple allowed it, fring launches its 3G-friendly VoIP app.

With fring on 3G, users get unrestricted, mobile communication. Now iPhone fring users can call, video call, chat and more for FREE over 3G and wifi!

And the best thing? You don’t have to do anything to turn the feature on!

How do I get this update?

You don’t need to do anything to get this update. Just open fring on your iPhone and you are good to go!

Engadget was alerted to the development by iCall, maker of an app which could take an incoming GSM call and flip it over to wifi/VOIP.

3G Skype coming to the iPhone?

They added the following interesting comment:

Interestingly, iCall says its 3G-friendly VoIP app is available now, and is the first and only such app in the App Store — which seems like some pretty quick turnaround on everyone’s part, but apparently the 3G restriction wasn’t anything to do with the software itself, but instead a server-side block. We just tested this out and it totally works, and while we’ll be looking for more verification that the ban has indeed been lifted, it sounds like it’s time for some cheaply connected international parties in the streets.

Parties in the streets indeed. Can anyone else confirm this?

As noted previously, Skype has a 3G capable version of their app ready and waiting for this restriction to be lifted. Considering the quick turnaround on iCall’s part, it can’t be long before Skype and others follow suit.

Update: Fring’s client now supports VOIP over 3G