Startup operation iSkoot is aiming to offer a Skype VoIP solution which will work over mobile telephone networks.

One of the main problems with Skype (other than it’s incompatability with SIP) is that it utilises client bandwidth to route call data in a Peer-To-Peer (P2P) network model. Obviously, when you’re on the end of a contended and potentially quite low-bandwidth / high-cost GPRS or 3G mobile link, you don’t really want that.

iSkoots concept seems to revolve around the concept of having telcos install iSkoot hardware at their gateways to make the connection to Skype. The call is completed between the handset and the iSkoot hardware at the gateway using the normal GSM network so presumably 3G is not required although a ’smartphone’ is probably necessary to run the iSkoot software.

This system allows the mobile user to place and receive calls on the Skype network without incurring massive data charges and the telcos continue to make money on the calls at the normal rate - perhaps even better for the telcos as they don’t have to pay other network connection costs.