Skype to counter Live Messenger with free international calls
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Younger, we once watched “Clash of the Titan“, an average B-movie made in the 80s and based on the Greek mythology. Lots of average special effects ― compared to now ―, lots of gods and goddesses, with a not-that-good Laurence Olivier who played Zeus.
Well, the clash of the Titans is happening “now”.
Skype is now teasing North American into international calls, offering one hour of free international calling to landline and mobile phones in 30 countries around the world ― including China where until 2008, no VoIP call is allowed.
Why is it doing so? Probably because of the official launch, two days ago, of the Windows Live Messenger. Goliath effect for sure. Not especially because its features are that disruptive; as said Joe Laszlo, analyst with JupiterResearch, to Internet News: “the VoIP piece seems to be the most ‘me-too’ feature.”
But because its gigantic user base (240 millions worldwide), a bunch of developers willing to play with its API, its upcoming Live extension into the Windows operating system, and its deal with Verizon Web Calling to promote cheap PC-based calls in North America, Microsoft can quickly top Yahoo, AOL and Vonage-like providers.
Clash of the Titan, as we told you. And it won’t be easy to small players to remain afloat in this situation.
Jun 21, 2006 | By Nuno
1 comment
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Even to China! That’s great, so now calling to China is just free in many countries.