Telkomsel has revealed the details regarding its partnership with Skype which was announced earlier today.
For the most part it doesn’t look that great, after all, this is a deal with a mobile network carrier and there are parts of its business that it will not cede to third party partners. Oh and you have to use a custom Skype app from Telkomsel. iPhone users need not apply.
The biggest deal though, is that the use of Skype using the Skype data plan or one of the other seven eligible data packages, will not count towards the usage quota. In other words, you will be able to make as many Skype calls as you wish or send messages to any of your Skype contacts without incurring additional charges.
The current arrangement will last until December 31, 2011, which means that in January, Telkomsel may adjust its pricing and policy.
To take advantage of the Skype plans, you must first download the corresponding Skype app from Telkomsel’s website for your phone. The Skype plan does not apply to the standard app available from Skype’s website.
Your phone also has to be one of the 24 eligible phones listed on the website, which does not include the iPhone. There are nine BlackBerry models, six Nokia phones, four Samsung devices, LG Optimus One, and four SonyEricsson phones. As mentioned in our previous post, Skype and Telkomsel will add more phones in the future, including J2ME phones.
You can subscribe to a monthly Skype data plan which costs Rp 25,000 renewable each month although Telkomsel will not auto-renew it for you. For Telkomsel’s kartuHALO subscribers, the cost does not include value added tax, so it would be Rp 25,000 + tax.
If you subscribe to one of the following data plans, you are already eligible for unlimited Skype usage at no additional cost, all you have to do is register for the service.
The eligible plans are: Postpaid Flash Unlimited Pro or Advance, Prepaid Flash Unlimited; Postpaid Flash Volume Based 1.2 GB or 3GB, Prepaid Flash Volume Based 800MB or 1.5GB.
With Telkomsel’s official Skype apps, you will be able to make Skype to Skype calls and Skype conference calls and messaging to anyone in the world who uses Skype.
You can also make international SkypeOut calls by purchasing Skype credits from Skype, integrate your phone books and calendars, show native phonebook contacts, listen to Skype voicemail, and update your Skype status.
The app will not be able to receive SkypeIn calls from anywhere, make SkypeOut calls to domestic mobile or landline numbers, send SMS through Skype, no Skype video calls, no call forwarding, no Skype WiFi, and you can’t host a Skype conference call (you can only join).
To register for the service, dial *363# and follow the instructions or send SKYPE to 3636. Make sure you do it from an eligible device and you are able to download the app.
No offense, the message of the article is there, but there are too many grammar mistakes that need to be fixed before posting it online.