This article is sponsored by WINplc: a leading enabler of mobile centric information, entertainment and interaction services.
It seems to be Bizarro world over at Verizon headquarters. As the leading VoIP service in the world, Skype has been getting operators backs up all over the world. The voice service has had to fight its way onto most platforms – and has often only been allowed in on the understanding that it can only work over Wi-Fi networks. So the question is why has Verizon gone in completely the opposite direction, allowing 3G calls but banning Wi-Fi?
What’s the story?
Verizon and Skype have finally finished off a much-anticipated deal. Tomorrow, Skype will be available to download for nine different Verizon phones through app stores, SMS or over the net. Verizon is allowing limitless Skype-to-Skype calls and IMs globally, along with the choice to use Skype for international calling at lower Skype rates.
So it’s all good?
Mostly, yes. But the 3G thing is still pretty interesting. Here’s how it breaks down: let’s say you’re using Skype on an iPhone. You’re only allowed to connect through Wi-Fi. AT&T refuses to carry any VoIP calls made through Skype. So you can only use the service if you’re in a hotspot – but once you are, it’s completely free. What Verizon has done is completely open the service up. You can make Skype calls from wherever you get a signal now, which massively boosts the usefulness of the service. If you happen to be calling a Skype user, it’s free. But for any other call, Verizon will still be getting their data money.
That’s not a lot, is it?
Not really, but I don’t think that’s the point. What this means is that in order to use your Verizon Skype, you have to have a Verizon data plan. You have to pay your monthly fee anyway to use the service. And even with Wi-Fi banned, it’s still a hell of a lot better than it is on AT&T.
And as operators trend towards all-in IP services, all billing will become like this. You pay your monthly fee, and you get access to your voice, data and messaging services all through LTE. This could almost be seen as Verizon getting VoIP users ready for the way things will be.
At least, I hope they’re that farsighted. Otherwise this is just kind of a weird decision for the operator to make.
Your article is just a little misleading; AT&T approved Skype over 3G in January of this year; we’re only waiting for the release of the updated application from Skype; therefore subscribers will be able to use Skype on their iPhone over bothe WiFi and 3G.
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Has to be a decision made in light of the way that the way IP services are taking over mobile networks- and as data usage continues to trump voice and messaging usage.
My problem is that two different salesmen at two different Verizon outlets (one corporate, one independent) told me (lied?) that I could use WiFi. This is important for me so that when I travel out of the US, I can, from a hotspot, make Skype calls. Now I can’t. Had they bothered to tell me before, I probably would have gone with a different carrier (or, at minimum, a different phone)!
I’m tired of Verizon’s lies. This isn’t the first time. It is, however, the last time I renew my contract with them.
I have to admit I didn’t read the fine print carefully enough, so shame on me. It is totally bizarre to me that I can’t use skype over my wifi network. And annoying as hell when I am travelling overseas.
So, Verizon has actually lost twice here. When I go overseas, I simply don’t enable an international plan on the phone. I use the wifi for data services and pay phones and one pf those cute 2c per minute services to make calls. Perhaps not cool, but an inevitable outcome from this Verizon idiocy.
So how hard can it be with the SDK to hack this perhaps using a port forwarder off my home system…?
Bah, humbug Verizon.
Its great huh….BS….Here I am over seas with my verizon phone and wifi…glad you guys are so excited about skype calls on the mobile network. No network here….maybe when i return home i can then make a few skype calls, oh shit wait, I will just call them on their cell phone….dumb
the irony is that the app seems to only work on wifi phones because it gives me a ***.WLAN api not found error on my 87xx device.
You can make voip calls with the Fring app.
Verizon should keep in mind that we’re paying for a monthly data plan and allow users to use skype via WIFI. I agree with other customers, what good is skype if you’re over seas and can’t use wifi. If verizon doesn’t fix this, I will cancel the service and go somewhere else.