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:

Skype on Android

Skype on Sony PSP

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

Skype is based on the peer-to-peer model rather than a client-server model

What is SIP???

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

For Example…

Free calls to the office when employees are travelling

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.

JaJah

OoVoo

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”

Conclusion

• Skype is a great arrangement for businesses in need of free conferencing software or cheap telephone calls. 

• More Simplistic options are available.

• For users in need of all-inclusive features, Skype is a great option with very large potential market.