Credit: Tirza van Dijk Current Skype users can already talk to each other for free or next to nothing, but they’ve got to be near a computer-unless the user has Skype’s phone that connects to wireless networks.Vancouver, B.C.-based Eqo Communications on Tuesday changed that when it launched its mobile Internet phone service that allows users to talk via cell phones, CNET News.com reports.The move is sure to send phone carriers like AT&T and Verizon back to drawing board to devise some strategy for competition. What’s unique is that making a phone call using Eqo’s service doesn’t require a phone number. Eqo users contact each through buddy lists or identities. Eqo CEO Bill Tam told CNET News.com the idea is to allow users who don’t know each other, and therefore may have reservations about providing their phone number, to contact one another without putting up something so personal as a phone number.“Skype took a buddy list-centric view of how communities work with names rather than numbers,” Tam told CNET News.com. “It’s an example of how to take (lessons) of instant messaging and apply it to voice.” Eqo users can easily tell when “buddies” are available and contact them on a mobile phone, as long as said phone supports Sun Microsystems’ Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME). Currently the Eqo service does not function on services like Verizon Wireless, which employees Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) to run dynamic applications, CNET News.com said.Eqo’s service is currently only available to Skype users.For more on Skype, read Google Skype Back Global Wireless Project.Don’t forget to keep checking in at our CIO News Alerts page for updated news coverage. Related content brandpost Sponsored by Palo Alto Networks Operational technology systems require a robust Zero Trust strategy in 2024 Zero Trust provides a foundation for creating a stronger security posture in 2024. By Navneet Singh, vice president of marketing, network security, Palo Alto Networks Dec 05, 2023 6 mins Security brandpost Sponsored by AWS in collaboration with IBM How digital twin technology is changing complex industrial processes forever As the use cases for digital twins proliferate, it is becoming clear that data-driven enterprises with a track record of innovation stand the best chance of success. By Laura McEwan Dec 05, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by AWS in collaboration with IBM Why modernising applications needs to be a ‘must’ for businesses seeking growth Around one-third of enterprises are spending heavily on application modernisation and aiming for cloud native status. The implications for corporate culture, structure and priorities will be profound. By Laura McEwan Dec 05, 2023 5 mins Digital Transformation opinion 11 ways to reduce your IT costs now Reorienting IT’s budget toward future opportunities is a big reason why CIOs should review their IT portfolios with an eye toward curbing unnecessary spending and realizing maximum value from every IT investment. By Stephanie Overby Dec 05, 2023 11 mins Budget Cloud Management IT Governance Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe