Skype-enabled INQ1 one of many ways to save

There are a number of ways now open to mobile phone users to save money on the price of their calls, recent comments would suggest.

A spokesman for TeleGeography, a group which specialises in looking at the current developments and trends in the sector, said voice over internet protocol facilities like Skype are just one such offering that has thrived of late.

With cheaper calls to landlines and mobiles – as well as a free option when contacting others with an enabled device – Stephan Beckert, director of research at the firm, said the system had continued to prove popular.

“The volumes are obviously huge and growing at about 50 per cent annually. It remains to be seen what impact the recession or the release of clients for mobile devices will have on Skype’s traffic,” he added.

A number of handsets are currently available that are compatible with the Skype downloadable application, such as the Apple iPhone 3G, 3 Mobile INQ1 and Research In Motion’s line of BlackBerrys.

Last week, Vodafone announced around 2.5 million of its UK customers could soon be benefitting from its tariff changes that allow cheaper mobile internet offerings on their devices.

For £4.99 per day, it noted anyone travelling within the EU could get access to up to 25 MB of allowance. For those less likely to need such a high value service, a