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Symbian phones cannot do it : using Skype for free at ReadytoSurf Wi-Fi hotspots October 03, 2005 [Wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ...)] | By Edward J. R. USA is a leader in things wireless: many operators offer there mobile Internet for flat fee, Wi-Fi coverage is very good and in several cities Wi-Fi is free or soon to be offered (Google Wi-Fi for example!). The only problem with USA is a weak coverage with UMTS (3G with video telephony, CDMA EVDO doesn't support video telephony). Germany has very good coverage with UMTS and already first operator in Germany is offering mobile Internet for flat fee. While 3G coverage in UK is still weak and there is no flat rate mobile Internet in sight, there is one interesting thing available only in UK: completely free access to Skype through Wi-Fi hotspots of ReadytoSurf - operation owned by Broadreach Networks Ltd. You can't deny that Symbian phones can't do it: use Skype in mobile devices. Moreover only few models of Symbian support Wi-Fi while all Pocket PC devices support it (either through built-in Wi-Fi or through SDIO slot). Here we present practical review of using Skype for free at ReadytoSurf Wi-Fi hotspots... read on! 
On image above you can see list of networks available at Victoria train station in London, UK. To use Skype for free in your Pocket PC you should connect to network called "ReatytoSurf". After connection you get some dynamic IP address (assigned to you through DHCP server of their Wi-Fi hot spot): 
If you desire to buy their services then you can try to open any URL and instead their home page with possibility to buy Wi-Fi access will appear. 
However you don't need to buy their services to use Skype: 
It turns out that it actually works - we have tested it and both text messaging and voice calls are working fine! Conclusion: we doubt that anybody would be willing to pull out and boot notebook PC just to get free Skype voice calls and chatting. However pulling out Windows Mobile device and connecting to Wi-Fi hotspot is a bliss, so combination of Skype with Windows Mobile is great and brings you practically speaking free Skype access in many places in UK where ReadyToSurf hotspots are available - mostly cafeterias, restaruants (like "Little Chef"), train stations, hotels, etc but unfortunately not at airports. Anyway: the list of of ReadyToSurf Wi-Fi hotspots in UK is big - see here to find their hotspots in your vicinity and with a special deal with Skype, now you can for free do voice calls, exchange files and use text messaging - all through Skype. Please note: for testing purposes in this review we have used Wi-Fi Companion - a Wi-Fi utility from Socket Communications - working also with Pocket PC devices with built-in Wi-Fi.  Post your comment (free registration is required to post, but if you register you can edit your posts later) [ 3 Comments ]
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