Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has gotten into an agreement with BT, which will make the PSP a device with wireless broadband communications functions. That means, PlayStation Portable gamers will be able to make handheld voice and video calls. They will also be able to message through their handheld consoles.
BT will play an important role as it will be SCEE’s lead wireless communications partner across their 102 territories in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Oceania. They have developed the technology to offer high quality video and voice calls over the internet as part of their world-leading 21CN project. BT will incorporate the PSP with the BT Broadband video and voice ‘softphone’ products that are currently available in the market.
David Reeves, President, SCEE says, “It is very exciting for us to be collaborating with BT on such an exclusive project. The opportunity to coalesce our market leading knowledge with BT’s knowledge in communications opens up many possibilities and we look forward to bringing many exciting communication functions to PSP fans.”
Steve Andrews, BT chief, Mobility and Convergence explains, “The grouping of SCEE and BT working together is a natural fit. Sony is a world-class company producing some of the world’s most innovative electronic devices and BT is at the front of communications with the 21CN global platform. The PSP is an admirable device for both gaming and communications, because of its high quality screen and audio capabilities. With over 8 million PSPs shipped across Europe, we are very thrilled by the opportunity to give customers a whole new communications experience, connecting and seeing friends across the world through BT’s technology.”
Well, Sony had to come out with something like this as Nintendo DS is outselling the PSP. It would be great for PSP users as they will not have to use their mobile phones anymore. However, it will depend on the internet connectivity that the user receives. BT is working other communications providers to deliver new services for the PSP. SCEE will debut the technology in United Kingdom.