Skype lands deal with Wi-Fi operator

Users will soon be able to access Skype at The Cloud's Wi-Fi hot spots across Europe, the two companies announced on Tuesday.

They will have to use a Skype-enabled phone from SMC Networks to do so and pay a £6.99 monthly tariff, but the deal means instant connection to Skype whenever the user is in range of such a hot spot.

"We are delighted to partner with SMC Networks and extend the service we provide today with Skype to Wi-Fi enabled handsets," said Niall Murphy, The Cloud's chief technology officer, on Tuesday.

"This agreement delivers on our commitment to provide the widest range of Wi-Fi services to customers across Europe," Murphy continued, adding that the deal "marks the start of a real low-cost alternative to traditional telecoms services".

The service will launch in the UK in October, and spread to other European countries by the end of the year. The Cloud operates over 8,500 hot spots around Europe.

At the moment, the only handset capable of being used in the service is the SMCWSKP100 model, which costs £150, but a spokesperson for The Cloud confirmed to ZDNet UK that it was "actively working with handset and other types of device provider to ensure these products work well in the public Wi-Fi environment".

Wi-Fi hot spots are available in a range of retail outlets, hotels and airports. The Cloud has also started to deploy outdoor hot spots in nine cities across the UK.