Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Skype lies, breaks "Skype-to-Skype"calls are free promise

skypejournal.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 93 posts

Re: Skype lies, breaks "Skype-to-Skype"calls are free promise

#2

Post by cookiecaper »

I guess I don't think it's that big of a deal. When Skype promised "free Skype-to-Skype", I don't think they considered that they would eventually be used on smartphones. It'd probably be smarter if they'd just charged a few bucks from the app first place, though.

This may also be a condition imposed by Apple, because people with unlimited data plans would use Skype instead of their (limited) included airtime, which I'm sure doesn't make cellular partners too happy.

Re: Skype lies, breaks "Skype-to-Skype"calls are free promise

#4

Post by evanwolf »

Skype will break its freemium promise to Skype users in three months. Skype for iPhone will require a subscription to make Skype-to-Skype calls over 3G/Edge starting in September 2010 according to Skype. This changes things from "Skype-to-Skype calls are free", which they've been saying since launch, to "Skype-to-Skype calls are free over landlines and Wi-Fi unless your Verizon or Three mobile operator subsidizes your service."

Skype has no marginal cost if I make that iPhone 3G call. Why are they charging separately?

Presumably subscriptions will apply to future use of Skype-to-Skype on Blackberry, Nokia, and Android phones.

Re: Skype lies, breaks "Skype-to-Skype"calls are free promise

#5

Post by jallmann »

cookiecaper wrote: post #2

I guess I don't think it's that big of a deal. When Skype promised "free Skype-to-Skype", I don't think they considered that they would eventually be used on smartphones. It'd probably be smarter if they'd just charged a few bucks from the app first place, though. This may also be a condition imposed by Apple, because people with unlimited data plans would use Skype instead of their (limited) included airtime, which…

But does Skype via 3G actually cost them more than a WiFi call? Assuming their calls still use the data network, it's not like they have to buy and maintain gateway equipment. I don't see how the smartphone issue is relevant.

I agree though, that this move may be more political than anything else w.r.t cellular partners.

Re: Skype lies, breaks "Skype-to-Skype"calls are free promise

#6

Post by stcredzero »

evanwolf wrote: post #4

Skype will break its freemium promise to Skype users in three months. Skype for iPhone will require a subscription to make Skype-to-Skype calls over 3G/Edge starting in September 2010 according to Skype. This changes things from "Skype-to-Skype calls are free", which they've been saying since launch, to "Skype-to-Skype calls are free over landlines and Wi-Fi unless your Verizon or Three mobile operator subsidizes you…

Skype has no marginal cost if I make that iPhone 3G call.

If I were AT&T and I could start charging Skype for 3G calls, I would do it.

Re: Skype lies, breaks "Skype-to-Skype"calls are free promise

#7

Post by dc2k08 »

When I bought my last phone nearly three years ago, the selling point was that pre-installed skype app worked for free over their 3G network and skype to skype calls were free. Skype out calls were barred though. I presume this new charge only applies to iphones? If it is the case that Apple badgered them into applying a charge which some are suggesting, I presume this information will leak at some stage. Won't be good PR if true.
Post reply on HN