PC-free Skype phone ships

Long-awaited Netgear handset can make web calls from any Wifi network

Netgear has said that it will begin shipping its new Wifi phone for use with Skype this week. The SPH101 was first announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) back in January.

This is the first Wifi phone released to be certified by Skype and it can be used with most Wifi networks, supporting both Wep and WPA encryption. It won’t, however, be able to connect to any public hotspots that require browser-based authentication.

No computer is needed to initiate calls; the SPH101 connects to the Wifi network directly. It’s pre-loaded with Skype software which is accessible via on-screen colour menus. Software updates are downloadable wirelessly, removing the need for a USB cable.

A number of other Wifi phones designed for use with the Skype network are in development but Netgear is the first to ship.

Philips is poised to release its own Skype certified Wifi phone as are Belkin and Edge-Core. These manufacturers are producing phones specifically for Skype in an attempt to tap into its worldwide user base of over 113 million people.

Despite this, Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) announced plans for a low-cost Wifi phone which would be compatible with VoIP services using the competing Sip (Session Initiation Protocol) standard.

The SPH101 will be available throughout Europe in early October. It will cost about £160 in the UK.