Flat-rate hotspot access for Skype calls

Wifi handset manufacturer SMC has done a deal with The Cloud to allow Skype web calls from any of 8,500 public hotspots across Europe for a flat £6.99 a month.

The £149.99 SMC wifi Skype handset will automatically connect with the service when within range of a Cloud hotspot and early adopters will get one month's free access.

Calls to other Skype users are free, and those to cellular and dial-up phones are at Skype Out rates, which are less than standard charges.

Niall Murphy, chief technology officer of The Cloud, said: “Our agreement with SMC provides an exciting new service for our Wifi hotspots and marks the start of a real low-cost alternative to traditional telecoms services.”

The service launches in Britain this month, with Scandanavia and Germany following towards the end of the year; and France, Spain, Italy and Benelux joining in early 2007. We will be posting a review of the SMC phone, and a similar model from Netgear, soon.

Watch a video about the new SMC initiative.