Nokia has revealed that Skype, the telephone system that allows users to make free calls over the internet, will work on the Lumia 610. The latter runs the Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform known as Tango.

An expert said: “After “some challenges early on”, Nokia tells us that the app is primed for use when the entry-level Windows Phone eventually hits Asian store at the end of April.”

The expert reckons that at the moment it is only the Nokia Lumia 610 that is able to make use of Skype. As for other handsets, the situation is less clear.

The flagship handset has had a number of glitches reported, so the confusion over Skype is perhaps not surprising. For example, it appears that the device does not have a front-facing camera, which implies that making video calls (Skype or not) will not be possible.

Some commentators have suggested that it may be possible to use the rear-facing camera on the Lumia 610, but doing so could be rather awkward.

In associated news, as well as Skype, it seems that tethering is coming to Tango.

Tethering allows users to use their handset as a Wi-Fi hotspot. It is already part of the Lumia 900 and it is believed to be a significant feature on most, if not all, Tango-powered Nokia smartphones. The recently released Lumia 710 and 800 phones are not included.

However, some experts think this is likely to change as the Tango update is rolled out. That said, UK networks would also have to agree to its inclusion.