Skype Created By Niklas
Zennstrom in 2003
Today more than 370 Million people are registered globally.
Skype is currently the largest international voice carrier.
What does Skype Offer?
• Free Skype-to-Skype calls
• Free video conferencing
• Cheap Calls to landlines and cellphones
• International calls at competitive rates
Business Applications
– Skype-In – allows users to place calls directly to personal computers
– Skype to go – Allows users to make international calls from mobile phones at the same rate they use for their computer.
Can be used on many different operating systems including mobile devices.
•Can be used on Many different operating systems
•Additional features include:
Pricing
• Flat fee of 2 cents per minute for calls across the US to non-Skype users.
• Calls can go up to $5.82 per minute for some international calls
• Skype also offers Monthly subscriptions for unlimited calls:
–2.95/month Within the US and Canada
–12.95/month Anywhere in the world
Session Initiation ProtocolA standard protocol for initiating an interactive user session that usually involves multimedia such as video, voice, chat-gaming and virtual reality.
• Skype integrated SIP into the peer-to-peer model which turns VoIP into a true IP communications network.
• Skype for SIP is compatible with almost all protocols making it work well in many different scenarios.
For Example…
Click-to-call buttons which allow users to contact call centers or personal computers directly from their websites
Alternatives
• JaJah – Has no downloadable software. Users simply sign up and enter their number and the one they wish to call.
• OoVoo – 2-way video chat with payment plans for 3,4 or 6 participants. Similar to Windows live messenger but with higher quality and more options.
Advantages
• Free calls to and from Skype users.
• Businesses can connect entire offices with Skype through their existing phone lines.
• Skype for SIP allows “click-to-call” buttons to be placed on a business’s website.
Disadvantages
• Customer Complaints:
–Charging money to accounts without authorization
–Billing after Blocking accounts
–Poor Customer Service
• Privacy concerns – Rumored “back door”