Hong Kong: Skype said on Thursday that it is in talks with mobile handset and network companies to install its trademark Internet telephony service as it seeks growth drivers before being spun off by parent eBay.

Skype had formed a strategic alliance with Hutchison Whampoa’s 3 Group and was seeking similar tie-ups with other mobile operaters and handset makers, Russ Shaw, Skype general manager for mobile, told Reuters in an interview.

“We’ll have some really good things to share about additional carrier relationships. That will be around next year,” he said.

He added that the list of potential partners included wireless network operators in China, but declined to be more specific.

Established in 2003, Skype has more than 500 million users and the company aims to nearly double annual revenue to $1 billion in two years from $551 million in 2008.

eBay is selling Skype to a group of investors in order to focus on its core online auction and payments business. Shaw said the transaction was proceeding smoothly and could close on schedule in the fourth quarter.