Below is some recent information I have received from 3UK, I thought that this news was very interesting so I thought I would share this with everyone, I think it is a very charitable thing of 3 to do, as you will read.

On Monday Stephen Timms (@stephenctimms) the Minister for Digital Britain made the billionth Skype minute on 3. He used it to call the CEO of Merlin (a medical aid charity) to discuss the work they are doing at the moment in Haiti.

He could do this as 3 have donated 5 Skype phones to Merlin so that the staff here in the UK could easily stay in touch with their staff out in Haiti as the normal telecommunications infrastructure out there is so damaged.

Quotes

Carolyn Miller, CEO of Merlin: "Here in the UK we take communications for granted but Merlin works in countries with some of the worst infrastructures in the world.  Being able to use Skype from a mobile has been more helpful to our team than you could imagine and has really helped facilitate a fast and effective response in Haiti." 

Digital Britain Minister Stephen Timms, MP: “Services like Skype on 3 have been vital to the aid being delivered by relief agencies in Haiti.  Digital Britain sets out a framework for the modernisation and growth of the UK’s communications infrastructure.  This will enable internet technologies such as Skype to thrive, ensuring Britain sustains its position as a leading digital economy.”

3’s Chief Executive Kevin Russell: “3 UK’s network was purpose-built to bring the benefits of the internet to mobile users. With Skype on 3 users now making more than 3 million minutes a day of calls, we have taken this service mainstream.  We are building the UK’s biggest and best network for mobile data through an intensive and ongoing upgrade and expansion programme, and we expect the growth of Skype on 3 to continue.

“Skype on 3 is a fantastic communications tool. Its use by aid workers in devastated areas to communicate via the internet and our 3G network to their UK colleagues is a great example of how mobilising an internet service gives it even greater reach.”

Russ Shaw, GM EMEA and Mobile at Skype: “Bringing Skype and 3 together has helped people to talk to friends, family or colleagues from their mobile phone, whatever the circumstances, without the worry of running up large phone bills, even if it’s an international call,”

"We have helped to make it possible for anyone, from friends contacting family or loved ones to colleagues liaising during a crisis, to communicate no matter where they are. Passing the billion minutes milestone shows just how important this is to people.”

Interesting Facts

Some Skype on 3 facts for you:
- 3 million minutes of Skype calls are made on 3’s network every day
- Skype on 3 has already saved the hundreds of thousands of UK customers that use the service £120million

I personally would like to thank everyone at 3mobilebuzz (@3mobilebuzz) for passing on this information.