Caller identification for SkypeOut now available for some countries
Yesterday, we finally quietly rolled out an update to our systems that’s been among the most anticipated ones for the past, oh, two years or so.
If you have a SkypeIn number in one of the permitted countries, you can now choose to show this number as your “Caller ID” when calling other people with SkypeOut.
I like this update because it’s done in the classic “Skype style”. It’s easy to use and just works. All you have to do is to go to [Your Account](http://www.skype.com/go/myaccount) and then look for the “Caller Identification” bit. Click the “Change” link to set it up. See also the [FAQ](http://www.skype.com/go/help.faq.cli) for more information.
The prompts say that activation may take some time. At least when I tried yesterday with some colleagues, it worked fairly instantly. When I called my Estonian mobile with SkypeOut, my Estonian SkypeIn number happily showed up as the caller.
There’s one downside. It’s a pretty complicated area where our legal people continue to be busy working with our partners and governments, and it boils down to this: Caller ID is available only for some “SkypeIn countries”. As of this writing, you can use your SkypeIn number as SkypeOut caller ID if the number is from UK, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, Hong Kong, Estonia and Poland. There are some other countries where you cannot currently use SkypeIn number as SkypeOut caller ID. And this list will continue changing. You can always get the most up-to-date information simply by going to Your Account page and seeing what’s the current situation there.
Since this is a server-side update, it works regardless of what platform or device you are using for SkypeOut. It may be the Skype for Windows desktop client, it may be a cordless Skype phone or even a WiFi phone. All you have to do is simply go online and configure it once in Your Account, and then it works.
After long search for CallerID in Skype, after emails send to customer support, get answer:
-Unfortunatley we currently do not support CallerID with a US SkypeIn numbers and do not know when it will be available. It will probably become available in the future, but we do not know yet when.
Then I bought the UK SkypeIn number just for the test,will it will work this CallerID in USA. And guess what? Now when I making SkypeOut calls to ordinary US phones it shows UK number. Its hard to understand where is the problem with USA caller id numbers.
WE ALL NEED CALLER ID!!!! PLEASE!!!
Here, finally, is the answer made perfectly clear — only not by skype, but by a user. Skype inability (or choice not to, for regulatory reasons) to offer “911″ emergency call capability is what makes skype non-compliant with USA law, and FCC. Here is the definitive link from FCC describing the requirement:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/voip911.html
And here is the skype user’s posting which brought this to light today: Everyone owes this person a big thank you for tracking down the reason which skype could have clearly communicated to customers about long ago:
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=100006&st=0&p=459752&#entry459752
And here is the confirmation I got from skype via a support trouble ticket:
—————————
from Slava – Skype Support
to (rh.usa)
date Nov 3, 2007 2:55 AM
subject Re: GQW: SKYPE’s PROJECTED TIMEFRAME for when USA customers will get callerID – 6mos? Year? never? >
mailed-by skype.net
Hello (rh.usa),
Thank you for contacting Skype Support.
We apologise for the delayed response.
I have contacted our PSTN team regarding this question.
The answer was that it is not likely that caller ID will be implemented for US. The reason is some regulatory issues that Skype cannot meet right now.
We apologize for any inconveniences.
Best regards,
Slava F.
Skype Support
—————————
btw, Slava F., and another skype support rep, Tamara, are kind enough to have relayed the clear information re skype’s regulatory problems in USA. If only MANAGEMENT at skype had been kind enough to provide us a very simple and clear answer.
Now we have it. Read the FCC link above and there is no wiggle room.
I believe that it is not available in US because Verizon has sued Vonage for IP address translation -> telephone numbers. Vonage has appealed this stating that it is common knowledge / technique which should not have been allowed to be patented by Verizon (btw I agree it should NOT have been allowed to be patented). Probably after this has been resolved Skype may either “license” the technology from Verizon , or if the patent is rescinded , continue to deploy to U.S. That’s what I think. I could be wrong.
Sorry, I somehow missed the post from Skype from Nov 6. But I did read the FCC web page and it alludes that Skype should have E911 services since they already route calls to PSTN network. In effect, by providing Skypeout they are a VoIP provider and must provide E911 service to their US customers.
I think it is a really bad business practice to not make it clear that your SkypeIn number will not be displayed on the recipient’s callerID. I may or may not have still purchased my SkypeIn number; it’s just knowing that they are knowingly deceiving their customers that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I personally feel wronged by this and at the very least would like some sort of legitimate explanation as to why this is not available in the US.
As others have said, nobody answers the phone when callerID shows “UNAVAILABLE”. I don’t like hiding who I am when I call and with this I am forced to. Really bad move, Skype. I’ve lost a lot of respect for you.
Oh, COME ON! I just wasted half an hour of my time before finding out that this service is not available in the US, and then I read here that people have been complaining about this VERY thing for MONTHS!!!! I had been recommending Skype to friends – but have been having increasing problems when calling people that they won’t pick up because of the “unknown” caller on their ID. Please, at least make this clear on the FAQ that it is only available in some countries, and that the US is NOT one of them!
Yahoo and Vonage will show your caller ID. I opened with Vonage. Once Skype gets this problem solved, we will rather use Skype, but if caller id does not show, most of our clients just won’t pickup the phone.
I invested in equipment specifically made to work with Skype In and Out and was VERY DISAPPOINTED when I found out that Skype apparently has no intentions to support caller id.
It is very misleading that you can’t find this info until after you sign up for all the services. They better straighten out their business with FCC.
I will be moving on to another VOIP service very soon if this doesn’t get solved quickly.
Just piling on here with the same absolute irritation — especially with the earlier comments from — let’s see — more than SIX MONTHS AGO asking that it be MADE MORE CLEAR on the site that this does NOT WORK IN THE USA and (b) that you CANNOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AS WRITTEN IF YOU HAVE A USA SKYPE IN NUMBER. Like all these other folks, I spent an hour looking for a feature that doesn’t exist. SLIMY TACTICS and this kind of c**p can turn people against Skype very quickly. Like so many internet whizzbangs, this company apparently thinks it can do no wrong now. Customer service is a permanent need, not some sort of expendable start-up cost that you then discard. Well, if you want to stay in business 5 or 10 years or longer. Of course, they may not care…
As of January 2008, there is a software program that now creates caller id for United States Skype users. It’s at http://getinfo.us/skype/callerid/
Run Skype first, then run the program (SkyID Caller Identification). Right-mouse click on the SkypeOut contact you want to call within Skype, and go to DO MORE, and then goto (Caller ID) Start Call.
The software is for free but the service cost a few cents per minute.
Truly amazing. A communications company that has very little idea on how to communicate.
No phone number to deal with customer service. Service tickets ignored, and a website that does not properly communicate services provided.
Since I have been using my Skype Pro service, more than 80% of my calls are ignored because the person receiving the call cannot tell who is calling due to a miserable CallerID system.
I am off to check Yahoo’s service.
Yes, that new service that offers caller ID thru Skype has one HUGE limitation as stated on the site:
“Another limitation that you should be aware of is call duration. Currently SkyID only allows calls to last for one minute.”
Useless!!
D’oh!! I ran into this issue a few months ago and cancelled the SkypeIn service because it’s absolutely useless to me without Caller ID. Last night, I came across something on the web that said that, as of January 2008, you can now have caller ID for United States Skype users. I got so excited that I renewed my Skype account on the spot, only to find that it’s still not working. I don’t get it! I like the concept but, without caller ID as part of the package, it’s not too useful to me. If you really do get it working in the USA, please let us know. Thanks.
I agree skype should really say what the deal is with U.S. caller id – if yahoo can do it seems like they could as well.
I went to those sites which it says allow you to have caller id work with skype out cost 16 cents a minute – umm I think that defeats the purpose of using skype
OK, so lets please use some common sense. First the post should have been more clear by country. However, having a UI that shows diff things to diff people is Steven King bad “Always”.
So what Skype should do is show the same line
“Caller ID” for everyone, and then either grey out the Chg for those who can’t use it, or even better, use 5 lines of code to lookup country and say “Not Avail Yet” for those of us who can’t get it.
I use skype mobile and I hate it. Skype Mobile’s “team” of programmers/tech guys must just be on some sort of permanent vacation. They probably have a pet monkey in charge of the whole Caller ID project.
I am constantly dealing with Skype Mobile’s terrible call quality, and it’s not because of my internet connection. It’s because of YOU, SKYPE. They hardly ever update the program despite the need. And when they have, it still sucks, remaining basically the same, sometimes becoming worse.
I don’t understand why they can’t simply charge more money for Skype Mobile and for the Caller ID thing so that it can become actually functional and the customer’s needs can finally be met.
My settings are defalted everytime I restart the program; this means that if i forget to check the boxes everyday, my friends can’t use my voicemail that I pay for. On top of that… I can never leave voicemails for anyone else… there’s no beep just the silent sound of Skype failing me in a new way.
Also, the fact that Skype Mobile has hardly any options [ Contact Pictures??? Ringtones??? Smart Scrolling??? Ability to add AIM and email to contacts???] is evidence that they are just taking our money without putting it towards their “service”.
It’s not like it would take that much effort to just add these options. Does Skype even have any employees anymore??????? Where is our money going????
I can’t wait for:
Skype to actually hire people who can make things happen
–or– for somebody to put Skype out of business.
Fellow Skypers…. let me know if there’s another VOIP service out there that we should try. I’m tired of getting abused and I want to try a company that actually cares about me and what I’m paying for.
Keep in mind this started as a European company, and is probably still being run with the poor customer service typical of European companies. The notion that “regulatory” issues are preventing this from happening in the US is utter BS, designed to shift the blame away from them. I’m going to try to get a refund on my Skype-in number (just bought today) as they did not do a reasonable job explaining this limitation.
hahaha
When I first found out about the caller ID in usa I bought skype in number and this thing on Getinfo.us for 5$ i though this is a caller id software and everything is going to work fine. Now their website does not work they dont answers the emails i dont know what the hell is going on skype is stilling the money from their costumers how can they let it happen
I agree IT IS VERY BAD THAT WE CAN’T GET outgoing caller ID in this wonderful but Fascist country of ours — Gov’t run by big business won’t let VoIP companies do what is technically possible.
So we consumers suffer.
Mainly, however, I agree with the blogs here going back 8 months. WHY DON’T YOU PUT A MESSAGE on the ACCOUNT page that tells us it is not available in our country. (USA) or at least say not available if no button here.
Geees… People look all over the help area trying to find why the help instructions are WRONG before finding out that most countries don’t allow it.
Here is my problem. I just recently received word that my skype number is expiring. This is all well and good because it is the stated time it would expire. However I and all the other people out there are hoping for Caller ID to be expanded. I have seen no change since this announcment of availability to my area USA. My problem is that they have DOUBLED the price now for a Skype number and NO improved service. Come on now DOUBLE! I know it was not 80$ USA dollars for a Skype number last year. I would at least like to know the reason why such a high price increase w/ not better service.
I just got my SkypeIn number, and quickly learned what everyone else has known for a very long time…the service is lacking the one thing I MUST have in order to make it viable. No one answers phone calls with “UNAVAILABLE” in the callerid.
Oh well….canceling my Skype now, and will no longer recommend Skype to anyone.
Having used Skype for more than a year now, I have come to use it for it’s strengths and ignore it’s weaknesses. However, some of the competitors (I don’t know what else to call them ) seem to be blocking skype based called specifically! ) I realized this when I started using skype phone to make calls to India using a calling card. It all worked great initially, then the calling card stopped working. After spending some time to investigate, I came to know the real called ID picked up the IVR is not the “00000012345″ that typically shows up on phones while receiving a call from SkypeOut phone. The IVR seem to be picking up a specific number that Skype uses to make the last mile call. Some times, when calls are routed differently, it appears the IVR sees “Unknown” and the call gets through.
Is there anyway Skype would at least consider blocking the caller ID on all skypeout calls instead of using “0000012345″ or using whatever number skype happens to use for the last mile call. This would at least help many of us by preventing some of these companies from identifying us as a SkypeOut caller.
Sincerly hope someone at skype looks into this seriously. Thanks
I have used Skype for several years now, and I like so many of its features. One problem has been the lack of Skype Out caller ID. I have had more instances of my calls going unanswered. More of my family and friends, and often local businesses, are refraining from receiving “caller unknown” calls during an election year. I am sure this will continue to limit the use of the Skype Out for the foreseeable future.
Looking forward for this feature soon.
why i dont see this option on my account?
http://blogs.skype.com/sites/en/2007/05/caller_identification_for_skyp.html
my account is amos_l
and i have phone no 21 2523404, Hungary
i want to make this no when i am calling out
thanks
I cannot see the Caller Identification section on my Overview page even:
* I am in Hong Kong where Caller ID for Skype is claimed to be available
* I have SkypeIn and SkypeOut
Best Regards
Andrew
skyid service kinda makes everything a lot better, sorta. kinda exp at 16 cents a minute, but like i think someone said here before, just tell the person youre gonna call them right back from a unknown number or have them call you back… doesnt sound very professional but friends and family understand!
I will not be adding any more money to my Skype account until caller ID is made available for the U.S.
I mean seriously, are you kidding me?
Since I started using Skype for my outgoing calls, my social life has completely plummeted. NO ONE will answer my phone-calls–not even my family. On the rare occasion that one of them calls me–”Goodness, I haven’t heard from you in months!”–I find out that it’s because they simply cannot/will not answer “unknown” numbers.
I feel helpless and cut off from the world, incapable of reaching any of my loved ones. Despite the higher costs, I will have to seek out telephone service elsewhere. Skype is ridiculous. I do not understand how they expect anyone to use their SkypeOut service when it is–in my opinion–missing a feature that makes the system AT ALL functional. It’s like paying for a bike without wheels.
A level-headed comment:
I, too, am disappointed that Caller ID is not available in the US and hope that it will be. (And further hope that Skype will send me an email when it is.) I have the same problem as some commenting here — family will not pick up an “unknown caller”.
However, for business, this is less of an issue. Many popular PBXes and phone systems also do not generate a caller ID (or send a generic one that’s essentially useless.) So this is mostly an inconvenience for personal calls.
Also, Skype is so inexpensive, it’s hardly worth complaining about. I paid less than $80 for an entire year of unlimited calling and a SkypeIn number. That’s nearly less than it costs to start phone service in my area and less than the cost of having long distance through ATT *before* making any toll calls.
So Skype people reading this, please just hear that we are eager for caller ID and will be much happier customers if it’s available in the US. Thanks!
“As of this writing, you can use your SkypeIn number as SkypeOut caller ID if the number is from UK, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, Hong Kong, Estonia and Poland.”
I do understand the frustration! But what is not clear about the above information? The US is clearly not included and I’ve not seen anything on the skype site that would indicate that this feature is available to US users yet.
Here is one choice to use until skype can provide this service in the US :
http://getinfo.us/skype/callerid/
You do have to pay for it – the download is free but you must purchase minutes to use the service until their beta testing is complete. When you make a skype out call, ALL minutes count! The way around this is to call whomever, they see your number, then tell them you’ll call them right back – and don’t use the caller ID this time. A little confusing I know but it’s the best way to remedy the situation for now!
Hope that helps, Sian
This is ridiculous! If this blog was a bit more prominent there for sure would be a ton more comments. It is absolutely unacceptable for a company such as Skype – purchased for SEVERAL BILLION dollars by eBay – to not be able to offer the simplest of services. How can caller ID be unavailable in the U.S.?
I want to use Skype for my new business, but what are my customers going to think when they see some bogus number or unknown? Not only is this unacceptable, but it is much worse that you don’t find out about this until you pay for a number. I am definitely going to do more shopping around and look for a refund.
For goodness sakes, 4 Billion dollars and you can’t offer what the smallest players can provide? What kind of stupidity is this? Skype and eBay: I am utterly ashamed of you, and you should be of yourselves. Your companies grew on “community” and you’ve turned your back on them. Get this FIXED NOW!!!
Well, I think the 911 service is the problem. 911 is a big privacy issue too, so perhaps Skype can avert some blame, but basically, no 911, no caller ID. 911 costs money. You get what you pay for and maybe Skype has decided to neglect essential features and sell it out for the short term.
Also no real remote voicemail access, which is silly. Again, low service for a low price.
It’s all too bad because if Skype had somehow done better I imagine Google would have bought it up and made all owners (and maybe even the developers) very wealthy.
hey there, is there any news on getting this feature rolled out for USA subscribers…
people seemed to have been “out-crying” for this for sometime now…
so i’m curious
My friends wont take calls from unknowns, so I cant use skype practically. I think Yahoo my offer caller ID http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/messenger/messenger8/phoneout/phoneout-06.html
Skype,
I am demanding that you remove the “you can now use your skype in number as caller id” from the American site. In an earlier post you (weakly) claimed that because caller id was not a “paid for” service that you could not offer a refund. However, about one year ago I had Skype, and no one in AMerica will answer a call from “private” “0000000000″ or any of the other displays that come up. Yet, when i saw that ever so decieving advertisment about caller id, i immediatly signed up. Only to find I was dooped into buying another worthless outgoing call service that no one will answer. If you do not think that advertsing the caller id function is not a critical issue that may be reasonably relied on, then you must read about our American Legal system, false advertising, and MISREPRESENTATION. The part that really pisses me off, is that when i first started reading this blog, I actually thought it would be “coming soon!” I guess I am the idiot fot believing you twice, this blog is over a year old, how can you dare say soon….
Skype,
I am demanding that you remove the “you can now use your skype in number as caller id” from the American site. In an earlier post you (weakly) claimed that because caller id was not a “paid for” service that you could not offer a refund. However, about one year ago I had Skype, and no one in AMerica will answer a call from “private” “0000000000″ or any of the other displays that come up. Yet, when i saw that ever so decieving advertisment about caller id, i immediatly signed up. Only to find I was dooped into buying another worthless outgoing call service that no one will answer. If you do not think that advertsing the caller id function is not a critical issue that may be reasonably relied on, then you must read about our American Legal system, false advertising, and MISREPRESENTATION. The part that really pisses me off, is that when i first started reading this blog, I actually thought it would be “coming soon!” I guess I am the idiot fot believing you twice, this blog is over a year old, how can you dare say soon….
How is it possible that all other similar services in the United States can use caller ID except for Skype? I would presume that this feature would be available in the United States an not other countries. What kind of a backwards way of running a business is this?
Skype needs to offer a discount for customers that cant use this basic feature that is expected on any normal phone.
this really messed up my day no caller ID (*Tear) US
I had no idea that caller ID was not available until AFTER purchasing the plan and peripherals. And there is nothing in the “help” section that indicates this limitation. I had to google it to make this discovery.
I think it would be a positive reflection on your company to clearly communicate that up front.
Thanks – tds
It’s very clear that I will not be renewing any services with this company or referring them to any friends. I’ve been signed up for 2 days now and I can already see how useless it will be to make calls that no one will answer. I wish Google bought this company out, at least they know how to operate a project.
Yahoo! Voice looks very very practical for anyone it’s not too late for.
The advertising and even the knowledge base is blatantly dishonest. Just signed up and spent hours trying to figure out how to configure the caller id like the help section advises only to find out I’m screwed.
I think this calls for a lawsuit against skype for misleading so many people.
“I would presume that this feature would be available in the United States an not other countries. What kind of a backwards way of running a business is this?”
How pompous and arrogant. You know Skype is a UK business, right?
Actually, if your ID always came up unavailable, or 0000123456, it wouldn’t be so bad. some of my friends see that and they know its me calling.
Whats really, absolutely, incredibly annoying is when people stop answering because skype starts displaying what seems like entirely random caller IDs. Like 646-230-xxxx (646 is a real number prefix here in NY)… i have no idea who’s numbers they are, but that can’t be good.
HEY SKYPE, i don’t think users are buying the “coming soon” stuff anymore, and i’m sure word of mouth is spreading. i’ve told at least 100 people myself. i guess you don’t mind losing money when everyone in america just uses your free service.
on another note, i’ll give any readers of this thread 10 to 1 odds that not a single person who works for skype actually sees this post.
I find it shocking that caller ID is not available in the USA. I spent money getting my SkypeIn number for the purpose of having caller ID. Skype is such a great service, but whoever hid the fact that the caller ID did not work in the USA should be fired.
I find it shocking that caller ID is not available in the USA. I spent money getting my SkypeIn number for the purpose of having caller ID. Skype is such a great service, but whoever hid the fact that the caller ID did not work in the USA should be fired.
I just signed up for Skype, paid for a number, and just now finding out that others receive my call as 0000123456. This is quite disappointing and has me looking into other services. Can we possibly get an update from Skype on the status of when the states will be getting the update described in this post?
Thanks
Caller ID is certainly important.
I’m new to Skype so I’m not sure how consistent the 0000123456 thing is, at least from California/650. I’ve seen it come-up, but I’ve also seen “Unknown Caller” come-up.
I have noticed that when I call Skype-to-Go, the Caller ID seems to be preserved. So if you want to make a long distance call with Skype, and Caller ID is important to you, try calling through Skype-to-Go. You’ll only pay the local toll rate, if any, of the phone you’re using.
May 2008, and the documentation is still wrong! Just puts you into an endless loop looking for a non-existent Caller ID Setup menu.
It appears this will not be released in the US. Searching for alternate VOIP provider.