So, Skype is teaming up with E-Plus to offer a “bundled” mobile data plan.
The obvious question many have asked is how will E-Plus stop you from using rivals to Skype? What does this do technically behing the co-marketing facade? Couldn’t I just download and use Skype anyway?
But turn this all inside out for a moment. What if your Skype client only worked on the E-Plus network when roaming in Germany? Or in other words, it simply refused to work on the competition? Sorry, your IP address is drawn from a block we don’t support.
Unlikely, you say — I’d just use something else. But would you? Could you really get all your buddies to switch?
Skype is following a multi-pronged “out-distributute the competition” strategy, bundling with connectivity service and edge devices. Will SkypeNet be reaching the parts that other providers cannot reach?
Posted by Martin Geddes at 03:41 PMTrackBack URL for this entry:
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E-plus cannot stop you, but with signing up you accept the small print, so the can sue you. And you yourself agree
to port-blocking.
Richard
Posted by: at September 5, 2005 09:06 PMI had a snotty email today from a KPN press officer complaining that I had described this as Skype offering the service rather than E-Plus offering flat-rate mobile data with Skype thrown in....but hold on...
The only reason people don't mobile-Skype so far is a lack of flat-rate data tariffs. Seems they are doing this but hoping the users don't use it.
Posted by: at September 6, 2005 01:59 PMThe only reason people don't mobile-Skype so far is a lack of flat-rate data tariffs. Seems they are doing this but hoping the users don't use it.
Posted by: Alex at September
That IS xactly the point.
People believe VoIP IP to IP is free.
In reality it is just a further application you do on your data line, which is already paid with the flat rate.
It has no meaning paying for minutes and using VoIP.
Since 85% of the calls are local, the SMART TELECOMS have offered flat rates for telephoning that make the use of VoIP irrelevant, unless you call internationally...
It also doesn't have any sense to pay the mobile operator AND the VoIP operator, unless you call internationally...
which IS NOT the market of the MASS.
VoIP will be a mass market product the moment ALL or almost will use just the data line for data AND voice.
The moment there WILL BE standard codecs or the moment all codecs and protocols WILL BE interconnected.
The moment people will realize that telephony is dead and communication means much more than just talking.
Convergence of voice video and data.
What you cannot do on the voice line...
or on the mobile voice line...
Telephony will be relegated to the mobile operators (to send data in big quantities on the actual mobile network you need so much power and a such amount of dangerous waves that will kill our health) while real communication will be in VoIP.
Patrizia