Skype running on Nokia E63 (after a little trial and error)

It was always my intention to use my recently purchased (on eBay) Nokia E63 as a WiFi phone rather than paying the extortionate fees for using a 3G mobile network when there are plenty of WiFi networks that cost nothing.

As soon as my parcel arrived from the eBay seller, I went to Skype website's Symbian download page for Nokia phones. The installation was simple enough. I called Skype's test phone number, left a message, which was repeated to me without any problems.

However, I was still using a Three Network branded phone so all that Three rubbish had to go. Using a piece of software called Nemesis Service Suite (details to follow in another post) I removed the Three Network product code for an unbranded code.

All that was required now was for me to install the latest firmware for the E63 and I would have an unbranded phone. Installing the new firmware resulted in all downloads (including Skype) being deleted and so I attempted to reinstall Skype. However, this this time I was greeted by the message "Skype is not available for your phone".

After a little digging around on Skype's community forum I discovered that for some reason the firmware upgrade made Skype upload a newer Symbian Skype that was for new touchscreen phones and not the earlier Skype 1.5 for older Nokia phones.

Eventually, I found the earlier Skype version at http://blogs.skype.com/garage/2010/12/skype_15_for_symbian.html. Click the link that says Symbian S60 non-touchscreen or just click my link instead.

Problem solved. I now have Skype on an unbranded phone. The phone is still locked to Three but that is okay. If people want to call me then they can call my Three number and I have the ability to call 999 in an emergency. I, on the other hand, have taken a subscription from Skype (£4.69 per month) for unlimited calls to UK and Ireland landlines. If you don't have a land line then email will do. I won't be calling a mobile phone anytime soon.