UK telecommunications group BT will team up with Sony Computer Entertainment to deliver WiFi messaging and voice and video calling for the PlayStation Portable console. The PSP VoIP service is scheduled to launch in the UK later this year, and will eventually extend coverage to up to 100 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The UK telecoms group said on Wednesday its four-year deal with Sony will see all new PSPs shipped later this year come pre-loaded with its software, transforming them into communications devices when within the range of a WiFi hotspot.

Users of PSPs will be able to make video and voice calls with each other anywhere globally, and BT said additional features will be included later to enable calls and messages between PSPs and computers, fixed-line phones and mobiles.

Wolfwood via reuters.com »