Motorola and Skype team on mobile VoIP

Motorola is working with internet telephony firm Skype to develop products including headsets and mobile devices for Skype's 25 million Voice over IP users.

The companies said that the initial focus of the collaboration will be on co-marketing 'Skype Ready' products from Motorola, such as Bluetooth headsets, dongles and speakerphones, and the delivery of the Skype "experience" on some Motorola mobile devices.

Skype chief executive and co-founder Niklas Zennström said: "Our alliance with Motorola is a major step forward in delivering the Skype experience to a whole new base of mobile device and accessory users."

Motorola's Skype companion products are expected to be available in the first half of 2005, the company said.

"By making VoIP truly mobile and easily accessible, we can make communications seamless for consumers at work, at home, in the car, or out in the world," said Liz Altman, vice president of business development at Motorola Mobile Devices.