Notices

This is not likely in Skype's current form as a standalone 3rd party app within the AppStore. Maybe if it's somehow integrated into the iPhone OS.

I don't think Apple directly benefits from this; it only underlines how heavily controllable their system is.

Wether its skype themselves or the networks (in my opinion most likely it will be them) to charge first, it will come in due time. At the moment everyone has 3G enabled phones and devices but majority of ppl dont abuse it or use it at all for that matter.
When everyone starts using skype to make calls for free then the networks will dung out a type of charge or something.
All you can do for now is enjoy it while its still there for free!

don't think it would cost money on N900, as they also announced improvements, but on N900 Skype is still not working stable. so noone would prefer it over regular call (though we don't have regular video call). but if it would work stable, fast and with good quality with any client - i would say, why not?

I think this may be a compromise struck between Skype and telcos to let Skype be used over 3G. I mean it's been around on mobile for sometime, but not in a big way like it would be on iPhone; so rather than the telcos disable Skype over 3G data (L7 blocking, QoS, etc), they'd make it a 'legitimate' compromise with a fee.

Expect the same deal to propagate to all mobile Skype client of any flavor.