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<P ALIGN="right"><br>
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;30, 2001<br>
  &#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;Registration No. 333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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  <hr align="LEFT" size=4>
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<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><B><U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=1>&#9;</font></u></b></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<CENTER>
  <table BORDER=0 cellspacing=0 width=720 cellpadding="0" align="center">
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=1>
        <p align="CENTER"></p>
        </font><font face="Times New Roman" size=5>
        <p align="CENTER">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
        </font></b></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3 height="20"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">Washington, DC 20549
        </font></b></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3 height="16">
        <div align="center">____________________</div>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr valign="bottom">
      <td colspan=3 height="34"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=5>
        <p align="CENTER">FORM S-8
        </font></b></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
        </font></b></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3>
        <div align="center">____________________ </div>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr valign="bottom">
      <td colspan=3 height="36"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=5>
        <p align="CENTER">SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
        </font></b></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3> <font face="Times New Roman" size=1>
        <p align="CENTER">(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
        </font></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3 height="13">
        <p align="CENTER">____________________<u><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
          </font></u>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP" height=1>
        <p></p>
      </td>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP" height=1>
        <p></p>
      </td>
      <td width="34%" valign="TOP" height=1>
        <p></p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">DELAWARE
        </font></b></td>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP">&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="34%" valign="TOP"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">94-3155066
        </font></b></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP">
        <p align="CENTER"> </p>
        <font face="Times New Roman" size=1>
        <p align="CENTER"><b>(</b>State of incorporation)
        </font></td>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP">&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="34%" valign="TOP">
        <p align="CENTER"> </p>
        <font face="Times New Roman" size=1>
        <p align="CENTER">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
        </font></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP">&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">37400 Central Court<br>
          Newark, CA 94560</p>
        </font></b></td>
      <td width="34%" valign="TOP">&nbsp;</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3> <font face="Times New Roman" size=1>
        <p align="CENTER">(Address of principal executive offices)
        </font></td>
    </tr>
    <tr valign="top">
      <td colspan=3 height=14>
        <div align="center">____________________</div>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr valign="bottom">
      <td colspan=3 height="48"> <b><font face="Times New Roman">
        <p align="CENTER">AMENDED AND RESTATED 1995 STOCK PLAN<br>
          AMENDED AND RESTATED 1999 NONSTATUTORY STOCK PLAN </p>
        </font></b></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3> <font face="Times New Roman" size=1>
        <p align="CENTER">(Full title of the Plan)
        </font></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3 height=19> <u><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
        </font></u>
        <p align="CENTER">____________________
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP" height="84">&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="33%" valign="bottom" height="84"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=1>
        <p align="CENTER">DAVID W. DUNLAP<br>
          CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER<br>
          SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.<br>
          37400 Central Court<br>
          Newark, CA 94560<br>
          (510) 744-2700 </p>
        </font></b></td>
      <td width="34%" valign="TOP" height="84">&nbsp;</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3> <font face="Times New Roman" size=1>
        <p align="CENTER">(Name, address, and telephone number, including area
          code, of agent for service)
        </font></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td colspan="3" valign="TOP" height=19>
        <p align="center">____________________</p>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP" height="26">&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="33%" valign="bottom" height="26"> <i><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">Copies to:
        </font></i></td>
      <td width="34%" valign="TOP" height="26">&nbsp;</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP" height="73">&nbsp;</td>
      <td width="33%" valign="TOP" height="73"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=1>
        <p align="CENTER">Herbert P. Fockler, Esq.<br>
          Wilson Sonsini Goodrich &amp; Rosati<br>
          Professional Corporation<br>
          650 Page Mill Road<br>
          Palo Alto, CA 94304-1050<br>
          (650) 493-9300 </p>
        </font></b></td>
      <td width="34%" valign="TOP" height="73">&nbsp;</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="TOP" colspan=3>&nbsp;</td>
    </tr>
  </TABLE>
</CENTER>
<p></P>
<B><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3></font></B>
<table BORDER cellspacing=1 bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding=1 width=650 align="center">
  <tr>
    <td valign="BOTTOM" colspan=5 height="34">
      <div align="center"><b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>CALCULATION
        OF REGISTRATION FEE</font></b> </div>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td width="34%" height="63"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <p align="left">Title of Securities to be Registered
      </font></td>
    <td width="13%" height="63"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <p align="CENTER">Amount to be Registered
      </font></td>
    <td width="17%" height="63"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <p align="CENTER">Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share</p>
      </font></td>
    <td width="19%" height="63"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <p align="CENTER">Proposed <br>
        Maximum Aggregate<br>
        Offering Price</p>
      </font></td>
    <td width="17%" height="63"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <p align="CENTER">Amount of <br>
        Registration Fee
      </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td colspan="5" height=21><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>Common
      Stock, $0.001 par value:</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td width="34%"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>To be issued
      under Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan</font></td>
    <td width="13%">
      <p align="center"></p>
      <p align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">1,200,000</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="17%">
      <p align="center"></p>
      <p align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">$3.14 (1)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="19%">
      <div align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>$ 3,768,000</font></div>
    </td>
    <td width="17%">
      <p align="center"></p>
      <p align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">$ 942</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td width="34%"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>To be issued
      under Amended and Restated 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Plan</font></td>
    <td width="13%">
      <div align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>500,000</font></div>
    </td>
    <td width="17%">
      <p align="center"></p>
      <p align="center"></p>
      <p align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">$3.32 (2)
        </font>
    </td>
    <td width="19%">
      <div align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>$ 1,660,000</font></div>
    </td>
    <td width="17%">
      <div align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>$ 415</font></div>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="bottom">
    <td width="34%"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3> <b>
      <p>TOTAL
      </b></font></td>
    <td width="13%"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <p align="CENTER"></p>
      <p align="CENTER">1,700,000
      </font></b></td>
    <td width="17%"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <p align="CENTER"></p>
      <p align="CENTER">&nbsp;
      </font></b></td>
    <td width="19%"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <p align="CENTER">$ 5,428,000
      </font></b></td>
    <td width="17%"> <b><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <p align="CENTER"></p>
      <p align="CENTER">$ 1,357
      </font></b></td>
  </tr>
</TABLE>
<FONT SIZE=1>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<DIR>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(1)&#9;Computed in accordance with Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h)
    under the Securities Act of 1933. Such computation is the weighted average
    exercise price of $3.375 per share with respect to 918,044 shares subject
    to options outstanding and $ 2.365 per share, which is the average of the
    high and low price for the Common Stock of Socket Communications, Inc. on
    April 26, 2001 as reported on the Nasdaq NMS, with respect to 281,956 shares
    reserved for options not yet granted.</P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
  <P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(2)&#9;Computed in accordance with Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h)
    under the Securities Act of 1933. Such computation is the weighted average
    exercise price of $3.375 per share with respect to 473,224 shares subject
    to options outstanding and $ 2.365 per share which is the average of the high
    and low price for the Common Stock of Socket Communications, Inc. on April
    26, 2001 as reported on the Nasdaq NMS, with respect to 26,776 shares reserved
    for options not yet granted.</P>
</DIR>
</FONT><U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3> </font></U>
<hr align="LEFT" size=4>
<font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;</font>
<P ALIGN="center">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="center">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="center">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS,
  INC.</font></P>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;REGISTRATION
  STATEMENT ON FORM S-8</font></P>
<P ALIGN="center"></P>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;PART II</font></P>
<P ALIGN="center"></P>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;INFORMATION
  REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></P>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 3.&#9;<U>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</U>.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT SIZE=3>The following documents and information previously
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by </font><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>Socket
  Communications, Inc.</FONT><FONT SIZE=3> (the &quot;Registrant&quot;) are hereby
  incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>:</font></P>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(a)&#9;The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained
  in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed pursuant to Section 12(b) of
  the Exchange Act on April&nbsp;11, 1995 and amended on June&nbsp;15, 1995.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(b)&#9;The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
  fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2000.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
  13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the filing of this
  Registration Statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
  which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters
  all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
  reference in the Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date
  of filing of such documents.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 4.&#9;<U>Description of Securities</U>.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Not applicable.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 5.&#9;<U>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</U>.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Not applicable.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 6.&#9;<U>Indemnification of Directors and Officers</U>.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the &quot;Delaware
  Law&quot;) authorizes a court to award, or a corporation's Board of Directors
  to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to
  permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including
  reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933,
  as amended (the &quot;Securities Act&quot;). Article&nbsp;VII of the Registrant's
  Certificate of Incorporation and Article&nbsp;VI of the Registrant's Bylaws
  provide for indemnification of the Registrant's directors, officers, employees
  and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware Law. In addition,
  the Registrant has entered into Indemnification Agreements with its officers
  and directors and certain stockholders.</P>
</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Delaware Law provides that directors of a corporation will
  not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary
  duties as directors, except for liability (i)&nbsp;for any breach of their duty
  of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii)&nbsp;for acts or omissions
  not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
  of law, (iii)&nbsp;for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases
  or redemptions as provided in Section&nbsp;174 of the Delaware Law, or (iv)&nbsp;for
  any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The Registrant also maintains insurance for the benefit of
  its directors and executive officers insuring such persons against certain liabilities,
  including liabilities under the securities laws.</P>
</FONT>
<p align="center">II-1</p>
<hr align="LEFT" size=4>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">See also the undertakings set out in response to Item&nbsp;9
  herein.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 7. <U>Exemption from Registration Claimed</U>.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Not applicable.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 8. <U>Exhibits</U>.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">
<CENTER>
  <table BORDER=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=483 align="center">
    <tr valign="bottom">
      <td width="18%" height="51"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">Exhibit Number</p>
        </font></td>
      <td width="82%" height="51">
        <div align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3> Description</font><u><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
          </font></u></div>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="18%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">4.1
        </font></td>
      <td width="82%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p>Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement
          for use therewith.
        </font></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="18%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">4.2
        </font></td>
      <td width="82%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p>Amended and Restated 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and Form of
          Stock Option Agreement for use therewith.
        </font></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="18%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">5.1</p>
        <p align="CENTER"></p>
        <p align="CENTER">23.1
        </font></td>
      <td width="82%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p>Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich&nbsp;&amp; Rosati, P.C. as to legality
          of securities being registered.<br>
          Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich&nbsp;&amp; Rosati, P.C. (contained
          in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1). </p>
        </font></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="18%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        </font>
        <p align="CENTER"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>23.2</font>
      </td>
      <td width="82%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p>Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
        </font></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="18%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p align="CENTER">24.1
        </font></td>
      <td width="82%" valign="TOP"> <font face="Times New Roman" size=3>
        <p>Power of Attorney (see page&nbsp;II-4).
        </font></td>
    </tr>
  </TABLE>
</CENTER>
<p></P>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 9. <U>Undertakings</U>.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(a) &#9;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(1)&#9;To file, during any period in which offers or sales
  are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to
  include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
  previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
  such information in the Registration Statement.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(2)&#9;That, for the purpose of determining liability under
  the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
  to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
  and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
  bona fide offering thereof.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(3)&#9;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
  amendment any of the securities which remain unsold at the termination of the
  offering.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"> (b)&#9;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that,
  for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing
  of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d)
  of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
  plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
  incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be
  a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
  the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be an initial
  bona fide offering thereof.</P>
</FONT>
<p align="center">II-2</p>
<hr align="LEFT" size=4>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">(c) &#9;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
  under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
  persons of the Registrant pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law,
  the Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, the Bylaws of the Registrant,
  Indemnification Agreements entered into between the Registrant and its officers
  and directors, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion
  of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
  than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
  officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
  any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
  person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
  unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
  precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
  such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
  Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</P>
</FONT>
<p align="center">II-3<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT> </p>
<hr align="LEFT" size=4>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&#9;</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">SIGNATURES</P>
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>Pursuant to the requirements
  of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable
  grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8
  and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
  the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newark, State of
  California, on this 27th&nbsp;day of </font><FONT size=3>April</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>,
  2001.</font></P>
<DIR>
  <DIR>
    <DIR>
      <DIR>
        <DIR>
          <DIR>
            <DIR>
              <DIR>
                <DIR>
                  <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS,
                    INC. <br>
                    <br>
                    </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">By:
                    <u>/s/ Kevin J. Mills<br>
                    </u></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kevin
                    J. Mills <br>
                    &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font><font size="3"><i><font face="Times New Roman">President
                    and Chief Executive Officer </font></i></font></p>
                  <p><i><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;</font></i></p>
                  <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></p>
                </DIR>
              </DIR>
            </DIR>
          </DIR>
        </DIR>
      </DIR>
    </DIR>
  </DIR>
</DIR>
  <P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;POWER OF
  ATTORNEY</font></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">KNOW ALL PERSONS
  BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
  and appoints, jointly and severally, Kevin J. Mills and David W. Dunlap, and
  each one of them, individually and without the other, his or her attorney-in-fact,
  each with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities,
  to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8,
  and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
  therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
  confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute
  or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</font></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>Pursuant to the
  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
  been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on this 27th&nbsp;day
  of </font><FONT size=3>April</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>,
  2001.</font></P>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
</FONT>
<P ALIGN="LEFT">
<TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=8 WIDTH=582 align="center">
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP"> <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>Signature
      </font></U></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP"> <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>Title
      </font></U></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP" height="51"> <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <u>/s/Kevin Mills&#9;</u><br>
      </font></U><font size="2">Kevin Mills</font></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP" height="51">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP" height="51"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive), and Director
      </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP"> <U></U>
      <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><U>/s/ Charlie Bass&#9;</u></font><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><BR>
        Charlie Bass</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>Chairman of the Board
      </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP"> <U></U>
      <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><U>/s/ David&nbsp;W. Dunlap
        &#9;<BR>
        </u></font><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>David&nbsp;W.
        Dunlap</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
        (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
      </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP"> <U></U>
      <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><U>/s/ Michael Gifford&#9;</u></font><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><BR>
        Michael Gifford</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>Executive Vice President and Director
      </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP"> <U></U>
      <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><U>/s/ Jack Carsten&#9;</u></font><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><BR>
        Jack Carsten</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>Director
      </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP"> <U></U>
      <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><U> /s/ Enzo Torresi&#9;</u></font><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><BR>
        Enzo Torresi</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>Director
      </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP"> <U></U>
      <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><U>/s/ Leon Malmed&#9;</u></font><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><BR>
        Leon Malmed</FONT>
    </TD>
    <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>Director
      </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD WIDTH="46%" VALIGN="TOP"> <U></U>
      <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><U>/s/ Burnett Donoho&#9;</u></font><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3><BR>
        Burnett Donoho</font></P>
      <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3> <B>
      <P>&nbsp;
      </B></FONT></TD>
    <TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
      <P>Director
      </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<p></P>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" size=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
</FONT>
<p align="center">II-4</p>
<hr align="LEFT" size=4>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;</font></P>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></P>
<P ALIGN="center"></P>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;Washington,
  D.C. 20549</font></P>
<P ALIGN="center"></P>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">EXHIBITS</font></P>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<U>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Registration
  Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8</font></P>
</U></FONT>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS,
  INC.</font></P>
<P ALIGN="center"></P>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;April&nbsp;30,
  2001</font></P>
<P ALIGN="center">&nbsp;</P>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3> </FONT>
<P ALIGN="center"></P>
<P ALIGN="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">&#9;INDEX TO
  EXHIBITS</font> </P>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3></FONT>
<CENTER>
  <TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 WIDTH=483 align="center">
    <TR>
      <TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="bottom" height="48"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P align="center">Exhibit Number</P>
        </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="82%" VALIGN="bottom" height="48"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P ALIGN="center">Description<U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
          </font></U></P>
        </FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P ALIGN="CENTER">4.1
        </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="82%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P>Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement
          for use therewith.
        </FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P ALIGN="CENTER">4.2
        </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="82%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P>Amended and Restated 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and Form of
          Stock Option Agreement for use therewith.
        </FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP">
        <div align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>5.1</font></div>
      </TD>
      <TD WIDTH="82%" VALIGN="TOP"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>Opinion
        of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich&nbsp;&amp; Rosati, P.C. as to legality of securities
        being registered.</font></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP" height="44"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P ALIGN="CENTER">23.1</P>
        </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="82%" VALIGN="TOP" height="44"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P>Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich&nbsp;&amp; Rosati, P.C. (contained
          in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</P>
        </FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        </FONT>
        <P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>23.2</FONT>
      </TD>
      <TD WIDTH="82%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P>Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
        </FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P ALIGN="CENTER">24.1
        </FONT></TD>
      <TD WIDTH="82%" VALIGN="TOP"> <FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE=3>
        <P>Power of Attorney (see page&nbsp;II-4).
        </FONT></TD>
    </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <p>&nbsp;</p>
  <p>&nbsp; </p>
</CENTER>
</BODY>
</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS INC", "cik": "0000944075", "assigned-sic": "3571", "irs-number": "943155066", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-59838", "film-number": "1617027"}, "business-address": {"street1": "37400 CENTRAL COURT", "city": "NEWARK", "state": "CA", "zip": "94560", "phone": "5107442700"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "37400 CENTRAL COURT", "city": "NEWARK", "state": "CA", "zip": "94560"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2001
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
____________________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
____________________
SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________
DELAWARE
94-3155066
(
State of incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
37400 Central Court
Newark, CA 94560
(Address of principal executive offices)
____________________
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1995 STOCK PLAN
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1999 NONSTATUTORY STOCK PLAN
(Full title of the Plan)
____________________
DAVID W. DUNLAP
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
37400 Central Court
Newark, CA 94560
(510) 744-2700
(Name, address, and telephone number, including area
          code, of agent for service)
____________________
Copies to:
Herbert P. Fockler, Esq.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Professional Corporation
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1050
(650) 493-9300
CALCULATION
        OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount to be Registered
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common
      Stock, $0.001 par value:
To be issued
      under Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan
1,200,000
$3.14 (1)
$ 3,768,000
$ 942
To be issued
      under Amended and Restated 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Plan
500,000
$3.32 (2)
$ 1,660,000
$ 415
TOTAL
1,700,000
$ 5,428,000
$ 1,357
(1)	Computed in accordance with Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h)
    under the Securities Act of 1933. Such computation is the weighted average
    exercise price of $3.375 per share with respect to 918,044 shares subject
    to options outstanding and $ 2.365 per share, which is the average of the
    high and low price for the Common Stock of Socket Communications, Inc. on
    April 26, 2001 as reported on the Nasdaq NMS, with respect to 281,956 shares
    reserved for options not yet granted.
(2)	Computed in accordance with Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h)
    under the Securities Act of 1933. Such computation is the weighted average
    exercise price of $3.375 per share with respect to 473,224 shares subject
    to options outstanding and $ 2.365 per share which is the average of the high
    and low price for the Common Stock of Socket Communications, Inc. on April
    26, 2001 as reported on the Nasdaq NMS, with respect to 26,776 shares reserved
    for options not yet granted.
SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS,
  INC.
REGISTRATION
  STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
PART II
INFORMATION
  REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
.
The following documents and information previously
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by
Socket
  Communications, Inc.
(the "Registrant") are hereby
  incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
:
(a)	The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained
  in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed pursuant to Section 12(b) of
  the Exchange Act on April 11, 1995 and amended on June 15, 1995.
(b)	The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
  fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
  13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the filing of this
  Registration Statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
  which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters
  all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
  reference in the Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date
  of filing of such documents.
Item 4.
Description of Securities
.
Not applicable.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
.
Not applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware
  Law") authorizes a court to award, or a corporation's Board of Directors
  to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to
  permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including
  reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933,
  as amended (the "Securities Act"). Article VII of the Registrant's
  Certificate of Incorporation and Article VI of the Registrant's Bylaws
  provide for indemnification of the Registrant's directors, officers, employees
  and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware Law. In addition,
  the Registrant has entered into Indemnification Agreements with its officers
  and directors and certain stockholders.
Delaware Law provides that directors of a corporation will
  not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary
  duties as directors, except for liability (i) for any breach of their duty
  of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions
  not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
  of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases
  or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware Law, or (iv) for
  any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
The Registrant also maintains insurance for the benefit of
  its directors and executive officers insuring such persons against certain liabilities,
  including liabilities under the securities laws.
II-1
See also the undertakings set out in response to Item 9
  herein.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed
.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
Exhibit Number
Description
4.1
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement
          for use therewith.
4.2
Amended and Restated 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and Form of
          Stock Option Agreement for use therewith.
5.1
23.1
Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. as to legality
          of securities being registered.
Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. (contained
          in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
24.1
Power of Attorney (see page II-4).
Item 9.
Undertakings
.
(a) 	The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)	To file, during any period in which offers or sales
  are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to
  include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
  previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
  such information in the Registration Statement.
(2)	That, for the purpose of determining liability under
  the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
  to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
  and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
  bona fide offering thereof.
(3)	To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
  amendment any of the securities which remain unsold at the termination of the
  offering.
(b)	The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that,
  for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing
  of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d)
  of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
  plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
  incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be
  a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
  the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be an initial
  bona fide offering thereof.
II-2
(c) 	Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
  under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
  persons of the Registrant pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law,
  the Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, the Bylaws of the Registrant,
  Indemnification Agreements entered into between the Registrant and its officers
  and directors, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion
  of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
  than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
  officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
  any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
  person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
  unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
  precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
  such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
  Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
  of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable
  grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8
  and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
  the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newark, State of
  California, on this 27th day of
April
,
  2001.
SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS,
                    INC.
By:
/s/ Kevin J. Mills
Kevin
                    J. Mills
President
                    and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
  ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS
  BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
  and appoints, jointly and severally, Kevin J. Mills and David W. Dunlap, and
  each one of them, individually and without the other, his or her attorney-in-fact,
  each with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities,
  to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8,
  and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
  therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
  confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute
  or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the
  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
  been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on this 27th day
  of
April
,
  2001.
Signature
Title
/s/Kevin Mills
Kevin Mills
President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive), and Director
/s/ Charlie Bass
Charlie Bass
Chairman of the Board
/s/ David W. Dunlap
David W.
        Dunlap
Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
        (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Michael Gifford
Michael Gifford
Executive Vice President and Director
/s/ Jack Carsten
Jack Carsten
Director
/s/ Enzo Torresi
Enzo Torresi
Director
/s/ Leon Malmed
Leon Malmed
Director
/s/ Burnett Donoho
Burnett Donoho
Director
II-4
SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
  D.C. 20549
EXHIBITS
Registration
  Statement on Form S-8
SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS,
  INC.
April 30,
  2001
INDEX TO
  EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
Description
4.1
Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement
          for use therewith.
4.2
Amended and Restated 1999 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and Form of
          Stock Option Agreement for use therewith.
5.1
Opinion
        of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. as to legality of securities
        being registered.
23.1
Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. (contained
          in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
24.1
Power of Attorney (see page II-4).