Earlier this week, I read that Verizon will offer customers the ability to use a Skype application to make Skype-to-Skype calls in addition to Skype text IM. This is big news! The feature will become available sometime in March.
For some time now, wireless carries like At&t and Verizon have resisted the pressure to permit Skype usage, but in a competitive market to acquire and retain customers, both Verizon and At&t have relented. This development will ultimately revolutionize the world we know as cellular telephones as more and more people start adopting the technology, which will reduce the importance of minute plans and increase the dependence on data plans.
So, as wireless carriers scramble to position their business to rely more on a data plan revenue model, consumers can fantasize about the ability to turn on their Skype application and instantly see if their friends are online giving them the ability to chat in a more convenient and effective manner.
I feel that it was just a matter of time before this movement happened. I know for me personally, my data plan is more important than my minute plan. Apparently, this importance will grow stronger in the future with the trend of less minutes and more data steaming ahead. I am really looking forward to trying out this feature.
It is still not known , however, what the terms of the agreement were between Verizon and Skype. One thing is certain though, becoming more integrated with with social networks, social media, etc. played a big role and may serve as a competitive/first mover type of advantage down the road.
Tyan Muckensturm
Bolg#5
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