Skype Is Getting Very Interesting

A few weeks ago, I joined the Skype beta testing program for their planned voice messaging service. It is good. In case you haven't heard of saves you money. It's a no brainer! Now, to the interesting developments: 1. Skype voice messaging service If Skype does launch this after the testing period is done, I'd say they will have a winner from their business point of view, and Skype users will have an excellent additional service. In effect, the voice messaging service is your internet answering service. It means that another Skype user can call you when you're offline and leave you a voicemail. You can set it up so that if someone calls you when you're already on a call, the new call diverts to your voicemail, just as you might do now with, say, your mobile phone. Not only that, you can directly send someone a voice message (ie, you don't have to call them), similar in concept to sending a text message. This service adds a rich dimension to the Skype offering and will make it broader in appeal - not only can you call people but you'll also be able to leave or send messages. And they will be able to do the same with you. When will it be available and how much will it cost? No news from Skype yet on either of those questions. My guess is that if the service is rolled out, it will likely be sometime in Q2. And it will be a pay-for service. While I do believe it will be highly appealing to users, much will depend on price. 2. Text messaging to/from mobile phones Bill Campbell, I learned about a way in which you can send SMS messages via Skype's instant messaging function to a Vodafone in The Netherlands; their cheapest rate for sending text messages is 9 eurocents (about 12 cents US). And that's the price within this country - it goes up substantially for messages sent to foreign numbers. When you combine third-party offerings such as these with what Skype itself is doing, it makes the overall Skype offering very interesting indeed. If I were a telco, I'd be getting quite concerned by now. Or more interested, perhaps, as Skype might make a nice strategic acquisition for one of the cash-rich phone companies looking to lead a break-out from the rest of the pack. Neville Hobson is the author of the popular Crayon. Visit Neville Hobson's blog: