May 17, 2007
Is Skype a telco?
It looks like a telco.
It sure smells like a telco.
Why?
They’re making money from minutes. And they’re not very accommodating of partners.
Here’s the evidence (click to expand):
I got an offer to try out this new service. As you can see, they want me to enter my Skype password to log in on my behalf. Sorry, no go, boys.
But the real problem is Skype hasn’t provided the necessary platform — be it Liberty, OpenID, or whatever — to let 3rd parties use their authentication system. Skype is acting like a closed-up old style telco. Sure, you can attach stuff at the network edge in your own home and PC. But access any of our core network functions? No way!
Posted by Martin Geddes at 07:38 PMTrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.telepocalypse.net/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/mgeddes/MT/mt-tb.cgi/867.
There are a few proxy services like this - the inherent problem is they run a virtual instance of Skype, and require you to give them your account password so they can log into Skype and make a call with your account when you request it. Which then in turn messes up your file transfer capabilities, as you might appear logged into another instance.
This service (and the others like it) are show stoppers for me as my Skype account is tied to my Paypal account and my Paypal account is tied to a bank account.
Skype has an API, but it isn't a platform - until the provide a network level SDK/API like BT.
Pretty good response from Andrew above. I am reminded of the Yahoo guy at eTel who said "what do you hate, if people hate something there is a real market there"....
Posted by: at May 17, 2007 10:29 PMThe core competency of a telco was lobbying; eBay ain't quite there yet.
Posted by: at May 21, 2007 11:03 PM