The new Skype for iPhone, supporting Skype-to-Skype calls over a 3G data service was downloaded by 5M consumers since Sunday (See "Skype for iPhone - Will Charge for Skype-to-Skype 3G Calls" - here).
When launched, Skype said it will charge 3G Skype-to-Skype calls in the future (not before August '10) "a small monthly fee". Russ Shaw, Skype's general manager for mobile, told Reuters (here), that "the company needs to start charging for the service so that it can fund the investments needed to ensure that the quality of 3G Skype calls stays high". He did not disclose specific details about pricing plans except to say that the service would still be competitive with rival services including traditional cellphone calls.
Related post - "Skype Rising Usage - Best Example for the Net Neutrality Fight" - here
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This is very interesting news. We are starting to see real policy-based service differentiation now. Of course, we don't know how this is enabled, but this is a start. Also, Verizon announced a partnership with Skype sometime back, and I wonder what the interaction will with this item.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the change in Skype's position regarding Net Neutrality. In the past they sent a petition to the FCC asking for "network freedom".
ReplyDeleteNow they are willing to pay someone (carriers, we should assume)for better QoS - exactly what Net Neutrality is trying to avoid (the "non-discrimination" aspect).
See:
http://www.voip-news.com/feature/skype-fcc-wireless-petition-030207/
http://blogs.skype.com/en/2008/11/skype_and_net_neutrality.html
Good news for Broadband Traffic Management vendors!
Excellent post. This is great news. Skype is very popular voip system.
ReplyDelete