Skype inks deal for Wi-Fi access in Europe

Skype's Internet calling service will soon be accessible at The Cloud's Wi-Fi hot spots across Europe, the two companies announced on Tuesday.

Although normal online access to Skype's voice over Internet Protocol services is free to those connecting via PC, access to The Cloud's Wi-Fi network will require the use of a Skype-enabled phone from SMC Networks and payment of a £6.99 monthly service fee.

"We are delighted to partner with SMC Networks and extend the service we provide today with Skype to Wi-Fi-enabled handsets," Niall Murphy, The Cloud's chief technology officer, said 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 this month and spread to other European countries by the end of the year. The Cloud operates more than 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 CNET.co.uk's sister site ZDNet UK that it was "actively working with handset and other types of device providers 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.