PC cable enables free Skype calls on mobile phones

- Gary Thayer, Editor

September 20, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- The Swedish-Norwegian company IPdrum today officially released the IPdrum Mobile Skype Cable, a product that connects Skype software to a mobile telephone and allows users to make mobile calls worldwide over the Internet via Skype, for little or no cost.

Users install IPdrum's patent-pending software on their primary PC, and the IPdrum cable to connect an old mobile handset (base phone) to the PC's USB and sound ports. When the software is installed, the old handset acts as a gateway/bridge for the Skype application, allowing the user to forward calls to the mobile phone he or she currently uses. Similarly, a user can place a call using Skype.

Individuals with phone contracts that allow them to make free calls to pre-defined numbers (such as "friends & family" plans), can make free VoIP calls from their mobile phones to any country in the world. Those without such mobile calling plans can make international calls at the same rate as a local call.

In summary, users can:

• Forward incoming Skype calls to fixed- or mobile phone
• Make outgoing calls to Skype users
• Make outgoing calls to non-Skype users using SkypeOut
• Make calls abroad without roaming charges

IPdrum currently only supports Windows XP, but the company has plans to support additional operating systems. The product is now available for Nokia and Sony Ericsson base phones. Motorola, Samsung and Siemens are in production.

IPdrum Mobile Skype Cable is available for immediate purchase online through www.ipdrum.com and via select distributors. The product retails for US $70 plus tax.

To date, there have been over 168 million downloads of Skype software.

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