Mobile Services by Internet Service Providers: Skype & Associated Press
Saturday, 03.05.2008
Skype has launched its mobile client beta. The application available for subscribers from all over the world features a chat, group chat, receiving Skype users calls. The call Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut are available only in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Sweden and the UK.
It is recommended to use unlimited traffic plans, though the service used the standard mobile network for Skype, SkypeOut and SkypeIn calls, and in all the other cases the connection is carried out via the Internet. It is assumed that the prices for the voice call will match the standard operator prices – and under the standard prices come local (but not international) calls.
Associated Press is announcing the new advertisement-sponsored mobile service for smartphones (the ones like iPhone). The service will be launched this summer under the name “Mobile News Network.” It will provide the international news by AP, plus local new by local papers.
Tom Curley, AP CEO, stated:
“The formation of the Mobile News Network positions members to capture opportunities on high-growth mobile platforms. Members can participate by providing local news that will appear alongside their logos. Importantly, the network also offers a new outlet for members to sell local advertising to the mobile audience.”
AP will pay and manage the service in realizing its technical and advertising-financial functions, local advertising will be sold by the local publishing agencies, and the international advertising will be sold by advertising networks. The profit will be shared equally between news providers and advertising sellers. The given network will be the first product by Digital Cooperative, an application created in order to find new digital channels from gaining profit from information and news provided by AP members.