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Skype for iPhone 2.0 released with 3G calls supported!!
- Thread starter uberjason
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I think they've already began backtracking a bit on the fee issue. It did originally say August.
Network isn't the whole picture.
It is unrealistic to suggest that the costs that are not the network are inexpensive.
Skype could make money either by charging a one-time fee for the app, or by charging an on-going fee for the service they provide.
Skype is choosing to charge by a on-going service fee.
Skype makes no bones about the fact that you, the end-user, already pays for the network layer. But if there were no other expenses, anyone could set up an alternative to Skype with no significant investment.
After all, Skype does pay for their front-end and back-end software and hardware that does VoIP transport, "call" negotiation, and account management. They pay for the people that man the help desk, build out their redundant data centers, etc. This stuff is NOT cheap.
It is unrealistic to suggest that the costs that are not the network are inexpensive.
Skype could make money either by charging a one-time fee for the app, or by charging an on-going fee for the service they provide.
Skype is choosing to charge by a on-going service fee.
Skype makes no bones about the fact that you, the end-user, already pays for the network layer. But if there were no other expenses, anyone could set up an alternative to Skype with no significant investment.
After all, Skype does pay for their front-end and back-end software and hardware that does VoIP transport, "call" negotiation, and account management. They pay for the people that man the help desk, build out their redundant data centers, etc. This stuff is NOT cheap.
But presumably all of those costs apply regardless of whether or not 3G is used. I just can't see the logic of picking on one type of network - 3G - and saying they'll charge for using it.
2g / Edge
So... when they say "3G" does that mean phone network, or only 3G? That is, any chance it works on EDGE? I am guessing not, but it is unclear.
I launched it on my original iPhone and it said I could make calls over my "cellular network" but then in the "details" screen it talked about 3G.
You may have two questions for me, so...
Why don't I try it? 'Cause nobody I would want to speak with right now is online. So, can anyone tell me?
Why don't I get a newer phone? Well, first, if not me, then somebody else is going to have this question. There are still many millions of original iPhones out there. Second, 'cause the plans for new iPhones cost quite a bit more than for the original. And third, well, I probably will get the next iPhone, but still have to wait a presumed week or two, and would like to know about this now.
So... when they say "3G" does that mean phone network, or only 3G? That is, any chance it works on EDGE? I am guessing not, but it is unclear.
I launched it on my original iPhone and it said I could make calls over my "cellular network" but then in the "details" screen it talked about 3G.
You may have two questions for me, so...
Why don't I try it? 'Cause nobody I would want to speak with right now is online. So, can anyone tell me?
Why don't I get a newer phone? Well, first, if not me, then somebody else is going to have this question. There are still many millions of original iPhones out there. Second, 'cause the plans for new iPhones cost quite a bit more than for the original. And third, well, I probably will get the next iPhone, but still have to wait a presumed week or two, and would like to know about this now.
Why this fee in Europe?
I live in Sweden and have already paid for 3G cellular access without restrictions. Why should I have to pay a fee? The cost for Skype is the same for my use of WiFi or 3G cellular.
I really thought that the new iPhone OS 4 would remove most of the reasons for jailbreaking but I now understand that use of 3g unrestrictor is a good reason for jailbreaking also iPhone OS 4.
I live in Sweden and have already paid for 3G cellular access without restrictions. Why should I have to pay a fee? The cost for Skype is the same for my use of WiFi or 3G cellular.
I really thought that the new iPhone OS 4 would remove most of the reasons for jailbreaking but I now understand that use of 3g unrestrictor is a good reason for jailbreaking also iPhone OS 4.
I think they must be smoking crack to think people will pay monthly for this!!!
Thank you Skype (HOLD 3 secs) press X, ONE STAR! and goodbye!!
Well phrased. Poor logic.
Surely a company this large offering free calls could considerably undermine the whole mobile operators business model. On my contract with Tesco Mobile i pay £20 per month for a txt and minutes package with unlimited data. Allowing skype to make this unlimited mins would more expensive packages redundant.
I wonder if skype will keep all their profits, or will make deals with mobile operators.
No... that's not it...
What COST is the developer incurring that would force them to implement a per month / reoccurring fee?
When you buy a broom are you forced to pay a monthly fee?
When you buy a book?
A piece of clothing?
A pair of shoes?
A color TV?
A diamond ring?
A Mercedes Benz?
A moss covered three handled family gredunza?
MS Office?
OS X?
All of these items are manufactured at a set cost and sold for a set price (cost+markup etc).
Now...
A magazine subscription
Electric service
Water service
Sewer service
Garbage service
Cable service
Landscaping service
All of these items are 'ongoing services' that cost MONEY to produce and as such you are CHARGED a fee to pay that cost+profit+taxes+surcharges+fees+etc.
How does Skype justify their monthly fee this 3G calling is handled the exact same way as any other FREE Skype call?
Because they are a business providing you with something better than the less costly alternatives. If not, then why bother with Skype?
It's a standard business practice: hook them in with a free trial offer, optionally provide a better product than the competition, then rake in whatever the market will bear as soon as you can.
You know you don't have to... just delete the app, no one is forcing you to use it.
If you don't like the fee, then don't use the service. It's as simple as that. Capitalism is a beautiful thing.
Not yet activated?
When Os4 is out to public Skype uses Multitasking feature so Skype dont disconnect everytime you push the home button.
This version from Skype are not compatible with that feature.
I develop for Iphone so I have OS4
Same reason that lettuce costs more in the expensive grocery store in the ritzy part of town.
This WOULD be an acceptable reason for Skype to charge monthly fees.... if Skype is being forced / extorted a monthly per-user fee from ALL of the cellular providers then YES certainly, they would have to pass those costs on to the users who are incurring the cost they'd have to pay.
Somehow I think the FCC might want to look at those 'deals' Skype is making with the carriers (if this happens to be true)
However, I'm thinking NO the cellular carriers are NO charging Skype for 3G calls places with the Skype software.
I don't know the details but Skype has to pay gateway fees to interact with 3G networks, land line networks, IP trunk lines. There is a real cost to offering the service. Internet may feel free to some end users, but that is only because large networks do cost shifting. The larger usage becomes the less cost shifting can be practical.
I would not be surprised if telephony services going forward cost $5 a month per user. Even if VoIP somehow escapes telecom taxes and PUC fees, the back haul service providers and gateways cannot escape them, so somebody has to pay. Somebody had to repair damaged equipment from floods, hurricanes and earthquakes too.
Rocketman
WHAT?!!?!?!?
The GROCER has to pay HIGHER RENT to be in the ritzy part of town and THAT is why the charge a higher price.
Skype is NOT paying for YOUR 3G cellular service are they?! NO!!! So why would Skype care OVER WHAT KIND OF NETWORK a call was placed when THEY aren't paying any of the cost?
So let see if we can make some sense of this...
Skype call placed over iPhone using the 3G service that YOU are paying for would DEMAND a monthly fee from Skype.
Skype call placed on an iPhone using WIFI that is tethered to another Cellphone (that also has 3G) that then proceeded to send the Skype call over 3G would NOT cost anything.
Something is clearly wrong with Skype unless they left out some costs they are forced to pay carriers who in turn approved their software (due to a per-user/per-month fee).
Okay but once the data Skype creates goes over 3G its INTERNET DATA and not a 3G VOICE CALL. Now once the data IS on the net there is NO cost to the person who receives the data.
In short... A Skype to Skype call from my computer to my father-inlaws is handled the EXACT same way as it would be if the call started with my iPhone using a wifi hotspot in PERU AND is handled in the same way as it would if the call came over a 3G DATA connection to the internet.
I have many web sites... are you saying that if I visit my web sites with my 3G phone AT&T is BILLING MY WEB SITE?!!? NO, they are not. Countless millions of 3G users are hitting GOOGLE.COM using the 3G DATA plan, do you think AT&T is sending 3G data-bills to GOOGLE? Again... NO. The entire POINT of Skype is to tunnel a voice conversation (or video-chat or text) utilizing the FREE pipes of the internet. Just like VOIP does.. Tho Skype isn't 'exactly' VOIP its a really close cousin.
3G DATA is internet DATA and internet DATA is covered 100% with your iPhone DATA PLAN that you MUST pay for when you have an iPhone.
And rent for 3G cell towers isn't cheap either (probably a lot more per sq.ft. than the grocer has to pay, or any DSL/cable box for that matter). Somebody has got to pay. You think the phone company doesn't know where the traffic on their networks goes?
Indirectly. Yes. Check Google's financial statements for how much they pay for network peering.
USP and Federal Express use the interstate network (someone else's network) to deliver packages to me for a fee, Netflicks uses the internet (someone else's network) to deliver movies to me every month for a fee. Does this mean that UPS should deliver packages for free? Does this mean that Netflicks should deliver movies for free? I suggest the answer is no in both cases.
Skype is using the ATT network to deliver a service, which they have chosen to make money from. Just because they are using someone elses network is immaterial.
You may retort that UPS has to pay for fuel and drivers and that Netflicks has to pay for licensing fees. Yes, they do have backend cost. However, Skype also has backend cost. Don't they? Serves, electrically, IT support, app development and bandwidth are not free. These things cost money, and Skype has elected to recoup these cost by charging a monthly fee to use a premium service. In the end, you have the choice - if yon don't like it, then don't use it.
It think you're missing the point of the other poster (unless I'm mistaken), but what I think he/she was trying to say is Skype can charge because they CAN,period. Skype is no longer a small time mom and pop startup company that can't afford to piss off their customers, they CAN afford to. Just understand this, it's actually a good thing that they charge a small fee, it helps for better quality development. Also, you're paying for convenience. If using Skype over your 3G network is no more convenient than using your cell phone minutes then by all means, don't use Skype.