Sony PlayStation Portable to Become VoIP Phone

by Anton Shilov
05/29/2007 | 11:36 AM

British Telecommunications, a leading comm firm in <%BANNER[article]%>Europe, recently said that it would develop software that will enable voice and video calls over the Internet on Sony’s PlayStation Portable handheld game console. This is the first time when a telephone operator enables VoIP calls for any device and this is also the first time that PlayStation Portable (PSP) owners will be able to use the console for communications.

One of the world’s largest telecommunication companies is developing a software package that will allow the firm to tap into the market of gamers “on the go” and get potentially tens of millions of new customers. The effort is largely lead by BT, not Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., which is a surprise, as sales of the PSP have been far below Sony’s projections and adding features may turn the PlayStation Portable in a more popular device.

BT will roll-out the VoIP PSP service in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania with the support of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., Sony’s gaming division responsible for PlayStation products in territories that use the PAL television color system, reports IDG News Services. However, since Sony is not strongly interested in the service, the feature may not be available in markets like Americas, Japan or Asia.

But Sony’s lukewarm welcome of VoIP software package for PlayStation Portable can be understood, as the company is already shipping its Mylo device preloaded with variety of communication services, including Skype. Unfortunately for the company, Sony Mylo entertainment device has also received tepid reception from end-users.