Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Open up SKYPE!

SKYPE might have been one of the front runners in the VOIP market, but its refusal to open up its VOICE platform and allow other players to connect to it and develop for it, has resulted in SKYPE becoming a drag on the VOIP industry and on itself.

If SKYPE would create an open API to make and receive calls, SKYPE could be leveraged across companies networks via IP PBX's, resulting in more revenue for SKYPE and better coverage for SKYPE users.

Pretty much the whole VOIP industry is now adhering to the SIP standard in an effort to inter-operate, yet SKYPE refuses to communicate with anyone. There is no need to open source code, but refusing interoperability and seeking to create a monopoly by locking its users in is detrimental to SKYPE users and to the VOIP industry.

As a result, the SKYPE train seems to be coming to a halt. According to various blog sites - its growth has slowed down rapidly. Then there was an embarrassing multi-day outage this summer for which no adequate reason was posted. Recently, its founder and CEO resigned.

The writing is on the wall - just like any other proprietary vendor that refused to inter-operate - SKYPE will fade away. Open up, SKYPE!

3 comments:

Jan Stuurman said...

I completely agree. Perhaps it is because Skype is now part of a larger corporation and more risk-avoidant and protective.
More than anything Skype is shooting itself in the foot. Aside from something good being free, there is no better marketing than allowing all and sundry to make money on your application. Skype started growing due to viral marketing as a free communications tool, but for it to continue growing it will need viral marketing as a profitable communications market place.

Anonymous said...

I completely agree. Perhaps it is because Skype is now part of a larger corporation and more risk-avoidant and protective.
More than anything Skype is shooting itself in the foot. Aside from something good being free, there is no better marketing than allowing all and sundry to make money on your application. Skype started growing due to viral marketing as a free communications tool, but for it to continue growing it will need viral marketing as a profitable communications market place.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nick,

I'm just wondering if you have an idea or something like alternative solution to at least connect "skype out" using 3CX. I was trying to find info on the net but can't find any.


Thanks for any info that you can share.

JoF