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Story URL: http://www.silicon.com/research/specialreports/voip/0,3800004463,39128177,00.htm

Skype launches free SMS service
VoIP service can now send and receive texts

By Ben Charny

Published: Friday 25 February 2005

London-based software developer Connectotel on Thursday unveiled a test version of free software that promises to expand short message service (SMS) functions for the popular Skype internet phone service. Connectotel's "Skype to SMS" software lets users send short text messages to mobile phones from the service. Natively, Skype users can receive SMS messages, but not send them.

Connectotel managing director Marcus Williamson said its Skype to SMS product lets Skype users leapfrog Yahoo!, AOL and Microsoft, which make the most popular instant-message software. AIM, Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger only allow the sending of SMS, he said.

Ben Charny writes for CNET News.com.