Nokia and Skype get cosy on VoIP

Nokia on Monday said it plans to launch a device that will enable users to make calls over the internet using the technology developed by VoIP firm, Skype.

In a statement ahead of the CES conference in Las Vegas, Nokia said it would partner Skype to make the experience available on its new N800 tablet by the end of June.

Skype is gathering momentum on handheld devices, despite obvious reticence from operators. At the GSM World Congress last year, the firm announced a partnership with Hutchison to put the consumer application on Skype-enabled mobile devices. 3 UK later announced its X-Series, which allows users to make Skype calls using mobiles.

At the same time, Nokia’s CEO, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, said his firm had sold 40 million smartphones in 2006 and that more than 850 million people worldwide now use Nokia mobile handsets. Kallasvuo predicted the smartphone market to reach 250 million by 2008.