Skype Technologies SA, which counts 66 million users of its free- and low-cost Web-based telephone services, mainly in Europe and Asia, said on Sunday that it will distribute Skype phone gear through 3,500 U.S. RadioShack Corp. (NYSE:RSH - News) stores.
The move into retail promises to raise Skype's profile with U.S. broadband users who have begun using alternatives to traditional phone systems that rely on Internet connections on computers or phones from Vonage, SunRocket and others.
Beginning Monday, Fort Worth, Texas-based RadioShack will feature Skype products in a special kiosk, including a new Motorola Inc. (NYSE:MOT - News) headset that uses short-range wireless Bluetooth technology to make calls via Skype, priced at $100. It will sell a $40 headset from Logitech (Zurich:LOGN.S - News) and a $129 cordless phone from Cisco Systems Inc.'s (NasdaqNM:CSCO - News) Linksys unit.
"The retail pact with RadioShack is Skype's first general distribution deal with a retailer anywhere in the world," said Saul Klein, Skype's vice president of global marketing. Skype will be featured in RadioShack holiday mailings and catalogs.The RadioShack relationship is really our coming to America, Klein said in an interview. You will be hearing more from us about retail relationships in other markets.[/quote]
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