Skype adds 1,000 NYC hotspots to its Wi-Fi footprint

Skype has cut a deal to add WiMAX provider Towerstream's 1,000-plus Wi-Fi hotspots in New York City to its own hotspot footprint.

The deal means that users will have one-click access to the third-party wireless hotspots and pay by the minute using Skype Credit.

"Wi-Fi has emerged as the leading broadband technology allowing users to truly receive the mobile experience devices are capable of today," said Towerstream CEO Jeff Thompson. "Skype understands the potential opportunity ahead for its customers, and we are thrilled to begin a long and prosperous partnership together."

Skype was acquired by Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) earlier this year for $8.5 billion. It currently offers its customers Wi-Fi connectivity at more than 1 million hotspots around the world.

Towerstream earlier this year announced it was planning to get into the Wi-Fi hotspot market and said it was aiming to become a wholesale provider to operators desiring to offload heavy mobile data traffic.

Its Manhattan market is nearly built out with 1,000 access points. And, while it hasn't signed an off-load deal with an operator, it has attracted players like Skype, Boingo and 8coupons.

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