Skype has announced that a lite version of Skype, a 'thin' Skype client for mobile phones, will soon e available as a free download for BlackBerry smartphones.

A beta version will be available in May for the BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Curve smartphones, with support for other BlackBerry smartphones coming later.

The lite version of Skype delivers core Skype capabilities to BlackBerry smartphones, including Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world, send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups and Skype calls to people on landline or mobile phones.

The Skype client will also allow users to receive calls to an online number on Skype.

The application works wherever the mobile phone works, without needing a Wi-Fi connection. It uses the mobile data connection to sign in to Skype, update contact list and presence and to send/receive calls or messages. Users must have both a calling plan and a data plan to use the lite version of Skype.

“With Skype on BlackBerry smartphones, we are making Skype available in the briefcases and purses of BlackBerry users around the world,” said Scott Durchslag, COO of Skype. "We have heard loud and clear that our users want Skype on whichever smartphone they choose to use. This fulfills our promise of making Skype available on the major smartphones so consumers and mobile professionals can connect to Skype whenever, wherever and however they choose."

The lite version of Skype will be available to BlackBerry users worldwide as a free download. The ability to make calls will be available in 10 countries: Australia, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, the United States and the UK. English will be supported first, with additional languages to follow. Those who download the beta version will be able to provide feedback on the application via an online survey.