T-Mobile unveiled a number of new devices on Tuesday as part of its continuing strategy to enable mobile access to the Internet. But the mobile operator is still clearly not enthusiastic about the prospect of enabling Skype on its own-branded phones.
During a media event at Mobile World Congress on Tuesday, T-Mobile International CEO Hamid Akhavan made several announcements including new devices and a "widget-based" platform to enable easier access to Internet services.
He said T-Mobile had formed a number of different partnerships with Internet companies including all the major instant messaging providers, creating what he described as "the largest portfolio of messaging services" on a mobile device.
Skype, the peer-to-peer VoIP and IM provider, was not on the list, however. When asked about this, Akhavan made it clear that T-Mobile is "not necessarily focusing on Skype".
"I don't see it as being relevant," he said.
Of course T-Mobile also famously offers the first "Google phone", the G1 Android-based handset, in a number of its markets. Skype Lite is now one of the applications available for free download from Android Market.