We learn via Slashdot and WirelessJobs.com that Skype has asked FCC to force mobile carriers to open up their networks to other players.
“Skype essentially wants to turn the wireless phone companies into just another network of the kind currently operated on the ground.” the guys at Slashdot explain.
That is obviously bad bad bad baaaad news for those big fellows that run BSs (base stations, that is) as they think they’ll keep those business models forever, until humankind takes over Mars, Jupiter and maybe even half of Andromeda.
Sure, Skype wants to expand the business and jump on the low cost computer to mobile train.
If their lobby does not derail, the secret will probably unveil to be discovered as one of the biggest MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) out there. Let’s evaluate what they did so far:

- managed to open up their calls to most land/mobile lines worldwide through Skype Out service
- effectively jumped over the 500 million downloads mark
- expanded services to provide incoming calls like if they were to fixed local number
- enabled SMS to most GSM / CDMA carriers
- signed with and funded one of the most courageous WiFi sharing initiatives, Fon.com to enhance mobile wireless use of their service
– and now this, the path to having their own mobile service! Read on, we explain why this is big!

Basically they took all the steps to act like a genuine operator, only without their own net. The next step is to change all that in a way that incumbment competition can no longer block Skype’s take off!

Should the trick work we expect Skype to become world’s largest MVNO, with the power to use existant mobile nets for their service only. Why is it big? Because if they make it they’ll tickle the net neutrality bill and make sure those incumbents don’t have fun blocking Skype’s service !
We’re great fans of net neutrality and alternative services so we’ll have to vote for this.
But watch out for that monopoly this promises! Just a thought… :)

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