InsideJapan News Network

Internet telephone service Skype has announced a new agreement with a Japanese telecommunication company.

The new deal with KDDI will mean that Skype will be offered to cell phone, broadband, cable TV and fixed line customers.

It is the first step in the partnership will be the launch of two new mobile phones with integrated Skype services. The IS01 and IS03 smartphones are based on the Android operating system and are due to be launched next month.

"We look forward to working closely with Skype to extend these benefits beyond mobile to broadband, fixed line and cable and thereby maximise the satisfaction of our customers in every area of our business," explained Takashi Tanaka, senior vice-president of KDDI.

KDDI estimates it had a total of 32 million customers, according to September figures. The telecommunications company is also predicting a 13 per cent increase in net profit and a 0.3 per cent rise in operating profit this year.

Written by Mark Smith.