A free feature that lets users send short text messages to mobile phones from Internet phone service Skype was being made available for testing starting on Thursday. Prior to Thursday, people downloading the Skype software could only receive texts.
Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services such as Skype are based on the same technological underpinnings as instant messages, which appear on PC desktops. Net phone operators are using text messaging to create a bridge between mobile phones and PC desktops.
By closing the message loop, Skype has outdone Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft, which make the most popular instant-message software. AIM, Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger only allow the sending of SMS, according to Marcus Williamson, managing director of Connectotel, which is providing Skype with the SMS service.
No more SMSes by Skype :( The test is over as they say at http://freesmsrants.blogspot.com/ It seems that the service will be launched soon, now that beta phase ended