Skype is now available for Nokia Symbian smartphones

Paul Nesbitt

Skype and Nokia have announced the arrival of Skype for Symbian, which will enable Nokia users anywhere in the world to use Skype's free telephony service over WiFi, 3G, EDGE and GPRS services.

The Skype for Symbian app is available as a free download from Nokia's Ovi Store, and it will work on any Nokia smartphone running Symbian ^1, the latest version of the Symbian platform.

Skype said it will soon produce a a version of Skype for Symbian that will run on Symbian handsets from other vendors including Sony Ericsson.

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.
Skype recommends that handset owners planning to install the Skype for Symbian app, secure an unlimited data plan to avoid being charged by networks for excess data traffic.

The initial Skype for Symbian application is compatible with the following Nokia touchscreen models: Nokia N97, Nokia N97 mini, Nokia X6, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and Nokia 5530 and the following non-touch devices: Nokia E72, Nokia E71, Nokia E90, Nokia E63, Nokia E66, Nokia E51, Nokia N96, Nokia N95, Nokia N95 8Gb, Nokia N85, Nokia N82, Nokia N81, Nokia N81 8 Gb, Nokia N79, Nokia N78, Nokia 6220 classic, Nokia 6210 Navigator, Nokia 5320.