It looks like mobile carriers aren’t pleased with Skype for the iPhone and the upcoming version for BlackBerry, which would allow free skype-to-skype calls.

By David Flynn:

iPhone users are taking up arms against some of the world’s largest telcos in an effort to use Skype over the 3G airwaves. With the support of Apple, mobile carriers in the US, Canada and Germany have blocked Skype from their networks so that the popular VoIP service can be run only over a local Wi-Fi connection.

Since its release last Tuesday, Skype has become the most popular download at Apple’s iPhone software store. But AT&T in the US, Canada’s Rogers and T-Mobile in Germany are all on the front line to defend what they see as their right to determine how their networks are used.

Read more @ apcmag.com

I realize the article concentrates on the Apple iPhone, but since it’s about “mobile carriers,” that means they aren’t happy with Skype altogether. This would most likely affect BlackBerry users just the same once Skype gets released for BlackBerrys.

I know plenty of people have been waiting for a Skype client for BlackBerry. Revolt anyone?

Remember: Without customers a network is nothing!

Some highlights from the press release:

• Skype today announced that the lite version of Skype™, a ‘thin’ Skype client for mobile phones, will soon be available as a free download for BlackBerry® smartphones. A beta version will be available in May for the BlackBerry® Bold™ and BlackBerry® Curve™ smartphones, with support for other BlackBerry smartphones coming later.
• BlackBerry smartphone users who download Skype can save money on calls to landlines and mobiles abroad, and stay connected with friends and family over Skype. The application works wherever your mobile phone works, without needing a Wi-Fi connection.
• The lite version of Skype will be available to BlackBerry users worldwide. The ability to make calls will be available in 10 countries: Australia, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, the United States and the UK. English will be supported first, with additional languages to follow.
• Costs for using the lite version of Skype

Read the full press release after the jump.

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