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

skypejournal.com

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

#11

Post by ericz »

stcredzero wrote: post #6
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.

Shouldn't net neutrality prevent AT&T from charging more just because Skype uses a certain part of the internet?

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

#12

Post by pdx »

johnrob wrote: post #10

I lost any trust for Skype the first time they emailed me that I had 7 days to use some credit or they would confiscate all of it. How is that not theft?

That was discussed here, probably when you brought it up last time. It's the same reason that gift cards expire and properly written NDA's have time limits. Nobody wants to owe somebody something until the universe dies, especially accountants, and especially if the people to whom that debt is owed, are dead or have forgotten about it. It would be insane to carry it on your books until doomsday.

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

#14

Post by jodrellblank »

johnrob wrote: post #10

I lost any trust for Skype the first time they emailed me that I had 7 days to use some credit or they would confiscate all of it. How is that not theft?

It's not theft if, when paying them money to give as credit, you agreed to use it within a certain time frame.

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

#15

Post by kgermino »

ericz wrote: post #11
stcredzero wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Shouldn't net neutrality prevent AT&T from charging more just because Skype uses a certain part of the internet?

'Net Neutrality' doesn't exist yet. A least not officially. However if/when (probably when) it does pass it would probably prevent ATT from charging skype more to route phone calls over thier network.

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

#16

Post by paul9290 »

Upon seeing this I am contemplating canceling AT&T service - keeping my iphone and get a Verizon or Sprint MiFi router and use Skype to place the calls, as well use my Google VOice number to ring my skype in number. I use my GV # now anyway so I can just forward it. I dont talk on the phone that much more so text, facebook, email and twitter.

Im not sure im going to do this but it's tempting even more when skype will be able to run in the background on my 3GS when 4.0 comes out. I would save myself $10 to $20 a month doing this. THe MiFi I can carry in my wallet.

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

#17

Post by cabalamat »

I'm not bothered by this, because it's their funeral. There are other VoIP programs, it's not particularly difficult to write one, and with Android set to dominate open-architecture 3G phones, something else will dominate VoIP. Hopefully, something open source and using an open protocol. (SIP?)

Oh and if you bought an iPhone and can't access the cost-free VoIP solution? That'll teach you to buy locked-down hardware, you idiot[1].

1: this description does not apply to people who took an eyes-open decision to buy locked-down hardware, knowing it was locked down, realising the consequences and accepting them.

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

#18

Post by yafujifide »

pdx wrote: post #12
johnrob wrote: post #10

I lost any trust for Skype the first time they emailed me that I had 7 days to use some credit or they would confiscate all of it. How is that not theft?

That was discussed here, probably when you brought it up last time. It's the same reason that gift cards expire and properly written NDA's have time limits. Nobody wants to owe somebody something until the universe dies, especially accountants, and especially if the people to whom that debt is owed, are dead or have forgotten about it. It would be insane to carry it on your books until doomsday.

So maybe they should give cash rather than credit.

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

#20

Post by mr_november »

pdx wrote: post #12
johnrob wrote: post #10

I lost any trust for Skype the first time they emailed me that I had 7 days to use some credit or they would confiscate all of it. How is that not theft?

That was discussed here, probably when you brought it up last time. It's the same reason that gift cards expire and properly written NDA's have time limits. Nobody wants to owe somebody something until the universe dies, especially accountants, and especially if the people to whom that debt is owed, are dead or have forgotten about it. It would be insane to carry it on your books until doomsday.

I disagree with this, it's entirely possible for vendors to honour gift cards (and credits) indefinitely. In fact, here in Canada, in most provinces, if not all, it's law and has been for some time: http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/News/133713.html
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