Skype

Skype is the famous free downloadable client program (versions available for Windows, MacOS X, Linux, and Pocket PC) from Skype Technologies Limite (www.skype.com) that lets you do free voice sessions ("tlephone calls") with other Skype users ... and , for modes perminute fees, makes calls to PSTN phone number ("Skype-Out") and /or let PSTN users call you, on a

PSTN phone number ("SkypeIn"). Other features availabe-some ofr modest fees-inlude voice mail/messaging, call forwarding, conferencing calling, chat, file transfer, and video.

The term "free" is arguably an oversimplification - to use Skype, you require acomputer and Internet access - a broadband
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connection from your home, costing probably between 20 to 60 US dollars a month, or an account with a WiFi hot-spot provider, or an INternet connection to your company office. Then Skype is "free", fust like using email, INstan Messaging, web browsing, and other Internet applications. Still, Skype is impressive.

Here is one example. In December I was flying on Lufthansa, where there was WiFi service on the plane. So I fired up Skype, and called my wife, for 1,7 cents a minute. Passengers next to me were clearly amazed. Is there a "Skype phenomenon"? We think so. It is a disruptive kind of technology, a paradigm shift."

As of early November 2005, skype claimed over 65 million registered users of their software client, with an average of another 170,000 download registrations per day (roughly two per second)! According to analysis done by broadband management Sandvine Incorporated (www.sandvine.come), back in June 2005, "Cals using Skype account for nearly half of the VoIP minutes used (46.2%) and about 40% of the VoIP bandwidth used in NOrth America."

Skype is used in almost every country. It is the number one player in terms of registered users, and Internet voice minutes, in every market that it operates in, including the United States. Not bad for a service that was started in August 2003. Skype was acqured by eBay back in October 2005, for about US$1.3 billion in cash, and nearly that much again in eBay stock. At that time eBay had about twice as many customers as Skype-with only about a 5% overlap.

Plans coming soon