Agrajag
join:2005-04-04
Cherry Hill, NJ
1 edit | Skype now $29.95 a YEAR unlimited calls
From USA Today:
Skype, which helped make free PC-to-PC calling a global phenomenon, will announce Wednesday a $29.95-a-year service offering unlimited calls to wireless and traditional landline phones.
Skype's Unlimited Calling subscription moves the company toward the mainstream of phone services and poses a significant challenge on price to many VoIP services — short for Voice over Internet Protocol — that can cost $300 to $400 per year.
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Yes, it's Skype and we know it's low quality but GEEEEEEZ, $29.95 a YEAR?!?! This MUST have some impact on all phone service providers across the spectrum from POTS providers to VoIP providers.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not switching or anything but just glad to see the free market doing its thing. |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY
 ·VOIPo
 ·Bresnan Online
| have to be honest, I haven't read the article. But, imagine some of the hidden costs. i.e. the $29.95 offer for unlimited calls to wireless and landline phones. hmmmm, OK that takes care of the Skype OUT portion. Now, If you want to receive calls with a DID, then image if that's another $29.95. Then, if you add the average fees used for 911, tax, fees, etc.... you could be looking at close to $100 a year. Not counting if you wanted to get away from the softphone version and go with an adapter.
Still definitely a great price for phone service, albeit a softphone and not the greatest quality. Mind you, my comments are pure speculation. I didn't read the article. The $29.95 a year could include a DID inbound, voicemail, 911, 30 features, etc...
I think for the majority of people who are serious about having a phone, and are willing some minor compromises to use voip, that the traditional voip providers like Vonage, Packet8, Viatalk, SunRocket, etc... don't have anything to worry about from Skype as a competitor. Later.... mike..... |
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jengu
join:2002-04-26
Lake Placid, NY | reply to Agrajag
The front page of website says that it is $14.95/year unlimited until January 31. |
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Quattrohead
join:2005-02-09 | Receive calls from phones with SkypeIn
(comes with free Skype Voicemail)
Buy 3 months - $ 12
Buy 12 months - $ 38
Count me in  -------pause--------NOT!!!!!! |
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ZOverLord
Premium
join:2003-10-20
Minneapolis, MN
1 edit | reply to Agrajag
Here are the Official Rates:
The price is $14.95 if you buy before end of January 2007. From February, the price will be $29.95.
»share.skype.com/sites/en/2006/12···mer.html
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Black, Grey and White Hats Unite here -> »testing.OnlyTheRightAnswers.com |
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ZOverLord
Premium
join:2003-10-20
Minneapolis, MN
| reply to Quattrohead
said by Quattrohead  :Receive calls from phones with SkypeIn (comes with free Skype Voicemail) Buy 3 months - $ 12 Buy 12 months - $ 38 Count me in -------pause--------NOT!!!!!! Some people Do NOT need/want a phone number which is what SkypeIn is, this has nothing to do with the 2007 rates for calling outbound.
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Black, Grey and White Hats Unite here -> »testing.OnlyTheRightAnswers.com |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY
·VOIPo
·Bresnan Online
| reply to Agrajag
I guess there's some folks who still are die-hard fans of Skype and swear by it. Then again, there's some people who believe that AOL dial-up/broadband and their email/IM service is the greatest thing since sliced bread. "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do". LOL!!! Later... Mike.... |
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mazilo
From Mazilo
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
| said by christcorp :I guess there's some folks who still are die-hard fans of Skype and swear by it. Then again, there's some people who believe that AOL dial-up/broadband and their email/IM service is the greatest thing since sliced bread. "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do". LOL!!! Later... Mike.... Amen. I am glad I am not one of those! 
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Mazi (UK Non-Geo Phone: +44-703-194-2574) |
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RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO
| reply to christcorp
you're a bit cranky today, Mike. As the defacto comparer of various services, I would have predicted that, of all people, you would be jumping on Skype, if only from the curiosity angle. For one, I would eagerly anticipate your comparison of Skype with your P8, VOIPo, and CowboyVOIP (or whatever else you've got up there in Wyoming).
Personally, a few months ago I burned a CompUSA gift card on a USB headset/mic with the purpose of trying Skype, but never got around to installing it on my overworked PC. I've also been unsure of the "node" angle of it using my PC for resources, but the new version is said to be able to toggle that off.
Whether we like it or not, Skype has become a BFD (P8 doesn't get breathless notices in USA Today) with a huge global market penetration, which will only get bigger with the Ebay connection.
I would value your opinion of the service from a real trial -- not the elitest and unknowing condemnation of a service targeted to the unwashed masses... |
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76766337
join:2004-09-26
Riverside, IL
|  reply to Agrajag
said by Agrajag :Yes, it's Skype and we know it's low quality but GEEEEEEZ, $29.95 a YEAR?!?! This MUST have some impact on all phone service providers across the spectrum from POTS providers to VoIP providers. Don't get me wrong, I'm not switching or anything but just glad to see the free market doing its thing. Please be so kind as to explain why Skype is low quality?
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What the world needs is more geniuses with humility. There are so few of us left. |
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tj008
join:2004-06-24
Cincinnati, OH
| reply to Agrajag
Skype has been a life saver on a few occasions this year when I had no access to a phone. Used my laptop and placed the free skypeOut call.
For those that do not have a redundancy in their voip network, skype would be an inexpensive addition.
Maybe Santa will bring me that new Netgear or Belkin wifi phone now. hmmmmm. I'll slip in a few more cookies and maybe keep his milk on ice this year.
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Cable. Voip cos: Paid- SunRocket, ViaTalk; Free- FWD, SIPphone, VoiceStick, FreeDigits. |
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76766337
join:2004-09-26
Riverside, IL
| reply to christcorp
said by christcorp :I guess there's some folks who still are die-hard fans of Skype and swear by it. Then again, there's some people who believe that AOL dial-up/broadband and their email/IM service is the greatest thing since sliced bread. "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do". LOL!!! Later... Mike.... Then, if you add the average fees used for 911, tax, fees, etc.... you could be looking at close to $100 a year. Not counting if you wanted to get away from the softphone version and go with an adapter. Still definitely a great price for phone service, albeit a softphone and not the greatest quality. Mind you, my comments are pure speculation. I didn't read the article. I think for the majority of people who are serious about having a phone, and are willing some minor compromises to use voip, that the traditional voip providers like Vonage, Packet8, Viatalk, SunRocket, etc... don't have anything to worry about from Skype as a competitor. Later.... mike.....
What is the analogy between Skype and AOL dial-up? Why would you feel that Skype is, "not the greatest quality"?
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What the world needs is more geniuses with humility. There are so few of us left. |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY
·VOIPo
·Bresnan Online
| reply to RockyBB
Well, my tongue and cheek was mostly sarcasm. While I have never used skype, I have used quite a few of the softphones over the years. There was a time when I thought Dialpad walked on water as the coolest thing. With the addition of telephone adapters, servers, and other hardware alternatives, I have lost all interest and use for any type of computer based softphone type of voip. Even packet8's free softphone I find useless. I have also found in my experience that no headset/mic combination can compete with a hardware ATA type of setup. But, for some people, especially those where they can't afford an ATA or don't want to deal with traditional VOIP contracts, Skype could be useful.
Now, I do know that Skype and others can be used with hardware type adapters so you can make calls with a more traditional form of telephone. That's better, but if I'm not mistaken, the PC is still involved. That, I don't like. There are way too many options available to not have to deal with the PC as part of the equation. For those always on business trips where a softphone is convenient, that's cool. I still prefer other alternatives to a softphone.
Anyway, as I mentioned, my recent post on Skype was more sarcasm than anything. Just as my sarcasm against AOL can be viewed by some users as incorrect because they really do believe AOL to be great. I admit that after Al Gore first invented the Internet, I had used AOL. I also recommended AOL to many friends and family. IMHO, AOL is a great stepping stone for someone new to the internet and computers. However, once you learn what broadband truly is and what the internet can do for you, people need to grow beyond AOL. Later... Mike... |
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76766337
join:2004-09-26
Riverside, IL
|  Skype is not just a computer based soft phone. There are are WI-FI Skype phones available. In addition Skype is available on the mobile pocket pc. Skype is also available on 3G cell phones as well as WI-FI enabled cell phones. Additionally, there are DECT Skype phones which simply plug into a router and do not require a PC.
With regard to AOL, it was not a "stepping stone for someone new to the internet and computers". The Internet existed for years prior to the advent of the Netscape browser and the ascent of the WWW. People used Archie, Gopher, Veronica and Jughead to access the Internet.
In 1995 there was a dearth of content on the WWW. AOL provided content as well as connectivity via the level playing field of dial-up modems. As the WWW gradually became enriched with content, the availability of broadband increased and the cost decreased, AOL then, and only then, began it's long road to economic irrelevancy.
In the early years of the WWW, AOL was a great value just as the WANG word processor was a great value prior to the advent of the first Apple computers and the IMB PC with WordStar.
Why do you feel that Skype is, "not the greatest quality"?
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What the world needs is more geniuses with humility. There are so few of us left. Do not be be hectoring or arrogant. Those who disagree with you are not necessarily stupid or insane. Nobody needs to be described as silly;let your analysis prove it. |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
 ·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to Agrajag
Man I'll bet they're burning up the lines to the F.C.C. right now... I can picture the scene.... Telco lobbists and lawyers, with a copy of USA Today in front of them, are on the phone...
"Declare Skype a Telephone provider now! I wanna see those federal line charges, 911 cost recovery fee, USF Slush Fund, Communications XTarrif Subsection B charge added to all their service plans effective immediately! Make it so! It's what we pay you guys for! We can't have low-priced competition undercutting our profits!.... Can't you just ban them by law like China?!?"
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"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) |
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Maxo
Your tax dollars at work.
Premium,VIP
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL
clubs:
·Embarq
1 edit | reply to Agrajag
I am interested in getting this but I want to verify before I go spending $$.
I can make and receive calls with Skype? If I call LD within the US there is no additional charge?
Do they have software for Linux? »www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/ |
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Nate425
Premium
join:2005-02-03
Charlottesville, VA
clubs:
| said by Maxo :I am interested in getting this but I want to verify before I go spending $$. I can make and receive calls with Skype? If I call LD within the US there is no additional charge? Do they have software for Linux? » www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/ Yes, you can. But you need a SkypeIn number to recieve calls. And yes, you can make LD calls within the us/canada for no additional charge.
For the rest of the thread, I think while skype doesn't really serve a purpose for those of us with real voip, for the folks that still just have POTS and have no intention of getting real voip, this is a good way to get them in to the technology. Like the aol reference, it's baby steps, and eventually they may want to ditch the POTS and get regular voip, and will be comfortable with that because they've used skype successfully. |
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Maxo
Your tax dollars at work.
Premium,VIP
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL
clubs:
·Embarq
| said by Nate425 :Yes, you can. But you need a SkypeIn number to recieve calls. Is that part of the $14.95/year or is there an extra charge? |
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Nate425
Premium
join:2005-02-03
Charlottesville, VA
clubs: | Probably...I'm sure it's listed somewhere on the skype site... |
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elios
join:2005-11-15
Springfield, MO
·Mediacom
| reply to Maxo
i like skype i use it mostly for PC to PC call (there free)
and thay sound better then real pots phone
as for PC to phone it sounds as good as a cell phone if not better
15 bucks for a year thats damn cheap and im not 'new' to VoIP im just a poor collage student 15 ir even 30 bucks for unlimited outbound is way cheaper for me to call home and what not then even a prepayed cell phone |
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