At the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Verizon Wireless and Skype today announced a relationship that will bring Skype to Verizon Wireless smartphones in March. The new Skype mobile product enhances Verizon Wireless? smartphones for users who have data plans by offering a new way to call around the globe, while also giving Skype users around the world the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and business colleagues in the United States using Verizon Wireless.

The two companies have created an exclusive Skype mobile offering for 3G smartphones. Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans can use Skype mobile to:

- make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on Verizon's wireless network;
- call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates;
- send and receive instant messages to other Skype users; and
- remain always connected with the ability to see friends? online presence.

Verizon said the application will be able to run all the time in the background. This means other people should be able to contact you through Skype even if your phone is on standby.

Other wireless carriers have blocked the Skype app from running all the time. It's available on the iPhone only in Wi-Fi hot spots and not over AT&T's data network. Verizon's version of Skype mobile will not work over Wi-Fi, the companies said.

Initially, Skype mobile will be available on Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones with data plans, including the BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS by HTC and Motorola DEVOUR.

Additional information about the service will be available next month.