Make and receive calls over 3G with our new iPhone app
We’ve updated our iPhone app – you can now make video calls.
Update: We’ve released a new version of the app, and no longer have plans to charge a supplement for calling over 3G.
The wait is over. You can now make and receive calls with Skype for iPhone using your 3G connection. We’re very excited about this, as we know that
being able to use Skype when you’re away from your home or office is
important to you. We’re also bringing to you improved sound quality, giving you near CD-quality sound for Skype-to-Skype calls on your iPhone 3GS or 2nd generation iPod touch and onwards.
Over the coming months we’ll be working out what pricing options might be – and don’t forget that Skype is all about great value. Calling over 3G will be no exception. In the meantime, Skype-to-Skype calls on 3G will be free until the end of 2010, so download and enjoy*. Skype-to-Skype calls over WiFi will remain free – and you can make calls to landlines and mobiles around the world at our incredibly low rates.
The new version features an enhanced call quality indicator, which will help you choose the best moment to call. We’ve made the app speedier to start up, and given you rapid access to the dial pad from the home screen – all in all, making it quicker for you to get from click to chatter.
The updated app is available now in the App Store – download it now.
* Operator data charges may still apply.
m.giannos
are you blind ? dont you see the bigger picture? iPhone will charge you for using skype to skype calls. may be the phone companys been thretten but thats the feature. we will pay only for the data plane and there will be numbers any more. network opartors has to deal with it. if skype gonna charge for free viop call it will delay my dream but some one will make it true. that company will re write communication industry. I dont think its gonna be skype with the way things are going. may be NIMMBAZ will…..
just to side track.. i wondering when will the skype for iphone include push notification ??
Hey Peter,
I’d like to thank you and your team for providing us the ability to make calls over 3G. Honestly, I’ve been a little baffled at some of the comments about having to pay for the service. This type of service has never been available before on this platform. Yeah, there’s Fring, but anyone that used that service know what’s it’s like pinging one server to another and the lag involved. The other similar services cost a heck of a lot more than Skype, so I’m wondering why someone would drop Skype and switch to pay more. Intriguing.
I will mention my only issue I’ve had that pops up time to time. When making calls, on occasion, there will be a delay in my relay over to the person I’m speaking with, so they won’t hear my speech until several seconds later. No idea what’s causing this. I tried resetting the iPhone. I have a really good Internet connection speed too, around 8 Mb/s.
If you have any advice let me know!
FYI all those waiting for push, it looks like Skype is waiting for iOS 4.0′s local push notifications, so sit tight.
Where’s the DISLIKE button??
I would like to know how Skype justifies charging for subscribing to a plan, paying international call fees and then also charging again for trying to make the call over 3G??? Need answers soon, or I (like many others) will take my business elsewhere.
Thanks.
Well…I have an iphone and ended up changing to a BB. However, since I am in Canada and not a verizon customer since they aren’t here I don’t even have access to skype on BB. I considered ditching the blackberry so I could have skype with my iphone as I found it invaluable. However since finding out that I will be charged for using MY DATA PLAN to possibly make 3G calls the iphone became less appealling and skype even more so. I will be cancelling my subscription on renewal and skype can take that to the bank. First because it limits BB users to one carrier worldwide!!!! and the 3G B$
I just downloaded the application, signed in & told me it’s only free for 3G till the end of the month.
It’s nice to see Skype are lying to our faces… To quote from above:
“In the meantime, Skype-to-Skype calls on 3G will be free until the end of 2010, so download and enjoy”
Free my arse!
This question has been asked many times, but no answer was provided: will people who tether their iphone 3G connection with their mac or PC still incur charges fro making skype to skype calls?
@neilpalfreyman the text above is correct; the text in the app is not – we’ll fix that in the next update. Hope that clears things up
@thefazios we haven’t determined how things will work in detail yet. Watch this space!
Yes where is the dislike button.
My experience of the quality of Skype calls on iPhone over 3G over the last few weeks has been so variable that I wouldn’t be prepared to pay for a subscription. My experience of other voice over IP applications on the iPhone has been similar so I don’t think that it is a Skype issue.
Skype should have done extensive market research before introducing something like this. Given the comments here and that they haven’t determined pricing yet it is clear they haven’t got their thinking straight.
Here in the UK 3 Mobile offer free Skype to Skype calls from your mobile and my experience of the the call quality is that is much much more consistent (typical mobile phone quality) than from the iPhone over 3G. It seems Skype want you to pay for an inferior service because you have a shiny iPhone but you can get a better service free here in the UK if you don’t.
Being in marketing I compare it to when coke introduced New Coke http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Coke back in 1985 and the backlash the followed turned it into an unmitigated disaster for Coke.
As a long time Skype user using Skype on Windows, Symbian, Windows Mobile over 3G connection I’m not sure where this is going to end. If Skype is going to charge for Skype to Skype calls over 3G for the iPhone, does that mean that they will charge for other platforms on 3G or even all Skype to Skype calls?
Why risk such bad publicity to make a few bucks off your raving fans. (Many who won’t be raving so much about Skype after this announcement )
@PeterParkes I’m not sure how much clout you have over this decision, and maybe there is a good reason why you are charging for this as I understand some of the issues, however you don’t seem to have explained it that well here. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this offline with you.
@mike.and.astra There are many other services that cost considerably less than Skype so I’m not intrigued why people would drop Skype to pay less, especially when Skype make announcements like this.
it’s really a great app, but unfortunately still up to now the quality is not good or bad
iPhone app working great here in NYC. Able to speak to friends around the world via Skype to Skype and making some local calls. The sound quality is awesome. No complaint on my part. I’ll wait until the end of the year to see what happens with the Skype over 3G fee…
I have been going to the States for years now paying approx €1 a minute on cell roaming. I now have an iPhone and can call home for a few cent a minute in a free wifi area. Skype is the best thing since the invention of the wheel as far as I’am concerned.
Does it work on an ipod touch??
Since the last few months I’ve been using the Skype app on my itouch.It works really great.But I would like to make a request though.
I noticed during a skype call with a friend from my itouch to a PC ,that I could not see him even if he had a webcam.
I understand that with an itouch,your friend would not see you as the itouch is not equiped with a webcam,but at least it would be much appreciated if you could see him.
Thanks in advance
@anjana_bhat yes
I was just wondering whether 3G to WiFi calls are possible or do the two people have to be on the same type of connection i.e. if one person is using free WiFi in the US and the other using 3G in the UK is that possible?
No doubt the ability to place calls over 3G is valuable, but I do not believe that is where people’s objections lie. We object because we don’t know what you’re charging us for.
Yes, you’ve developed a product—a modified iPhone application that is no longer restricted to WiFi operation. Yes, that took time and money for you to develop. Yes, it is reasonable for you to be compensated for that.
But the key noun here is “product”. You’ve developed a product and yet you’re planning to charge for it as a service. By your logic, Microsoft would be justified in charging a monthly fee for using Windows. Having an operating system on your computer is a valuable thing, no? (After all, it would be rather unusable without it.) So why don’t they charge us for its continued use? Because it’s a product, not a service.
If you’re going to charge us for a service, there had better be an actual service that is costing you money. As it stands, it just looks like you’re charging us a convenience fee. A tax for the luxury of using our iPhones instead of our computers.
Since you’ve already said voice over IP (Skype-to-Skype) will always be free, if you’re going to charge for voice over 3G, there had better be something about it that increases your operating costs. But it’s unclear to us how voice over 3G is any different. If AT&T is not charging you to make calls over their 3G network, then their network is effectively an extension of the existing IP network (the internet) for which you already offer free service.
If you want to charge us for the new product you’ve built, then go ahead. But unless my use of that new product or feature is increasing your monthly overhead, don’t charge me monthly for it. That’s just sleazy.
So I just updated to the new iOS on my 3GS I was excited to use the multitasking with skype to get incoming calls and………….It don’t work!! Why, when that is the biggest news I have heard about multitasking and it is posted on both the skype website and apples website does it not receive calls on the iphone do I need to change a setting?
When will skype be updated for use with the new iso 4 update on the iPhone as only compatible with unmodified iPhone with 3.0 or higher at the moment.
Ps doesn’t seem to work with multitasking.
@jenna.schwarz yep, absolutely possible – you can also call someone on their PC, or make calls to regular phones.
@elliterate we haven’t yet decided how we’re going to charge – you assume that it’ll be a monthly fee.
@newartistbuzz @judders__1 more details here.
How foolish can you be regarding charging iPhone users a charge for using their iPhones. The writing is on the wall that your iPhone customers are not happy with your upcoming decision. Rather than agree it is a bad mistake you continue to try to justify your actions.
If you go forward with your choice I will not renew my monthly plan nor my skype number. I will also not use your long distance service anymore. I wonder if google voice will see this busness mistake you’re making and and use this opportunity to lure away your customers.
You’re not the only game in town. I am sure your competitors will be more than happy to accomodate your pissed off customers. Capitalism is great.
One other thing. I have been using your long distance service more since you added the voi feature to the iPhone.
A monthly fee was just an example. It could be annual. It could be per-call. The point is that any recurring fee in the absence of increased operating costs is going to be viewed as sleazy. As sleazy as AT&T charging an extra $20 for the mere convenience of tethering on an already-capped data plan.
And yes, I’m assuming it’s a recurring fee. I did so partly because the language of your post implies as much. (Saying that “calls on 3G will be free until the end of 2010″ implies that you plan to charge us for the calls themselves, which precludes a one-time fee.)
But also, the most natural chance to charge a one-time fee for your iPhone development work (as a new iPhone app or as an in-app add-on) has been squandered by releasing a free version that supports 3G calls.
What’s more, you’ve said nothing to rule out recurring fees, which tells us you’re seriously considering them. And, again, seriously considering recurring fees in the absence of increased recurring operating costs is vulgar.
That is from whence the vitriol in these comments has arisen. You would do well to address these concerns and complaints rather than repeatedly throw up your hands and say “We haven’t decided.” It reads as “We haven’t decided whether or not to scam you.”
Just drop the idea of charging. In order to fully use the voi feature you will need monthly phone service and a phone number. The new revenues from iPhone users should generate revenue but a fee for voi would just confirm skype is greedy.
I just upgraded my iPhone 3G to the new OS 4.0. As soon as I started Skype, there was a message saying it wasn’t compatible with this OS. I assume it means that it is not compatible with multi-tasking. How long do we have to wait for you to catch up with what your customers want. Apple claims that Skype will multi-task, but it doesn’t.
Is there a Skype app yet for the updated iphone OS4 to support multitasking because when I updated my iphone 3Gs to OS4 and opened the Skype app, a message came up that it does not support OS4.
Mayur_svce, I got the same message. The Skype app works find. They just need to submit an update to correct that and show it compatible with iOS.
Reading all these comments regarding paying the Skype to Skype fee, and I truly believe about 80% of users complaining will stay with Skype and pay the “small fee” depends on the cost.
Think about it… Lets say the small fee cost $5 a month, which I think is high, but just a number. You call friends on Skype to Skype who lives in Paris, France. There is no fair usage policy since its Skype to Skype. Unlimited Talk to anyone who has Skype for $5 a month is a bargain. I spend a lot of time on Skype, with family and friends around the world.
We all just have to wait and see what comes out of all this next year.
my two cents.
Hey Rick. I don’t know how you derived your 80% figure but I can tell you with 100% certainty that I am leaving if a rate is charged. Line2 charges $15 a month. Right now I a skype customer because it’s free.
If skype charges a fee I will let my local and long distance service expire, let my number expire, and use up my remaining credit ……. And leave.
Keep your statistical analysis to yourself because one customer leaving should be a concern to skype.
If skype charges I will let my local and long distace service expire, my phone number expire, and use up my credit and go Away.
Bluetooth!!! Please, please, please add bluetooth headset support to the Skype app. People have been begging for this ever since Skype appeared on the iPhone. Other apps support it, Apple allows it… It would make Skype infinitely more useful on the iPhone.
I should also have added my 2c worth about 3G Skype-to-Skype calling charges:
Google is likely to release desktop and client VOIP apps for Google Voice fairly soon, making Google Voice a free and direct competitor to Skype. If Skype starts charging for previously free services it will just drive more users to Google’s excellent system. I fail to see how this is a good long-term business strategy for Skype.
A few points..
1) Why only iPhone users? That’s a good cause for a lawsuit my friend.
2) Okay I understand you want to make money – ok then, either make the app £2.99 one off purchase or only charge for Enhanced 3G calling where it dials a freephone number or whatever (as per the 3 UK and Verizon deal).
3) Do you think iPhone users are daft enough to pay for 3G skype – skype calls when the quality will be rubbish anyway?
4) There are no costs to you because the app is P2P. So why the charge?
You see I can understand if you charge for enhanced 3G calling, but not for damn 3G standard data calling. Why is it any different to wifi? We already pay for our data charges.
I bet I know what it is… Steve Jobs want’s kick backs/split profits. I swear this iPhone is getting overpriced, snobbery junk and filling Steve’s pockets at the same time.
Skype this is bad news!! It is a complete rip off to charge people for 3G data use. I will be switching to another application if you go ahead and charge people to use your application over 3g. I thought skype to skype was always supposed to be free.
i cant believe it so im paying for my data on my contract buy credit on skype an now you are saying i have to pay another fee jus to use a piece of software that 100 other companies are doing for free lol. I THINK EVERY ONE WILL BE LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES .as of now lol skypes digging thier own pit ha ha ha.
I agree with the above comments about how bizarre it is to charge for 3G skype-to-skype calls. Something you might not have considered is that not everyone have WiFi internet. A lot of people ONLY use the oh-so-popular 3G broadbands with USB-modems. Do they have to pay this fee as well?
What’s the big difference between WiFi and 3G anyways? We already pay for a way to access the internet. What difference does it make for you whether we surf on WiFi or 3G?
Please, reconsider this catastrophic idea as I can imagine it will cost you a lot of customers.
Sincerely, Jocke
I can’t believe how low this legalised robbery is!!!
I will be looking for alternatives for sure!!!!!
@Peter…when is skype coming to blackberry users other than those on Verizon? I am from Canada and feel we are being unfairly penalized. It is great that Skype reversed its decision to charge for 3G calls on the iphone, but really, what about the rest of us? Surely it wouldn’t be that difficult to do.
@PeterParkes I am sure the original message that popped up when starting the app stated that there will be a ‘small monthly subscription fee’ to use the Voip over 3G service after August 2010. It’s already been suggested that the date is wrong, but I feel it is violated our consumer rights that we are being kept in the dark as to how much and in which way we will be charged. Ok, you want to charge us for the service. I, for one, will strongly consider leaving Skype and possibly change from iphone to something else. But is all this uproar worth it? Would it not have been better to sit tight before launching this long-awaited change for another couple of weeks/month and make your executive decisions beforehand? I have recommended to my brother to get an iphone, but thank heavens, he has not yet bought it as now I have to urge him to reconsider. Skype is not only damaging their own reputation, it is also tarnishing Apple’s. Iphones are not cheap, neither are the monthly mobile plans. In my opinion, as a phone for routine calling, the iphone actually sucks a bit (I get a lot of phonecalls going straight to voicemail etc), but all the extras, like being able to run skype for free, made it worthwhile. Now… the jury is out… mistrial??
Sorry I won’t pay a fee to send skype data over a network I’m already paying to use.
@aletde79 @tgreenlee you’ll be glad to know that we no longer have plans to charge a supplement for calling over 3G. Find out more here.
@Peter Parkes – I am so happy to find out that Skype has decided not to charge a supplemental fee for calling over 3G. Thank you! I just got an iPhone4 this weekend and today downloaded the Skype app and was reading about charges so I was ready to delete it but now I don’t have to. My question now for you is, are there any plans in the near future to have video calls available on the iPhone? I want to video call from my phone to a computer or another type of phone such as a Droid via Skype. If so, will this still remain free or are there plans to charge for that service?
What a bunch of Whiners!
Is it possible to make a video call using Skype (2.1.2) on iPhone-4?
I just recently bought a iphone4 and downloaded the skype app. When using my wi-fi connection on my phone could I make a call using skype to skype for free (no charge from AT&T). Thanks,
I would like to use Skype on the 3g network when no wifi is available. How do I estimate how much of my data plan is used on a phone call – not video? I have a limited data plan of 200mb. How much is used per minute, or per 5 or 10 minutes if it is not just a multiple of the minute charge?
“To provide a great quality experience requires substantial investment on our part – an investment in engineering, R&D and design which we can’t make for free” blah blah blah Parker… from the start Skype has been free and is still free on EVERY platform, except for calls to real phones and it should stay like that. The iphone or 3G is just that ANOTHER PLATFORM. Why not start charging for the PC and Mac while your at it? You should keep in mind Google talk is here. You know very well that the whole point of using skype over 3G is to be able to bypass our cell phone carriers for long distance and minute charges, people will regularly buy skype credit to do that, thats all the money you should be asking for if this is not a question of being greedy our gouging customers. Charge me 10$ for the 3G skype app if you will but if you get another stupid montly fee out there im gonna to say no tanks and use just use one of the many other voip apps out there. Either ways, arent cell phone calls starting to be cheaper and cheaper? what the hell is the point of paying for skype to skype calls, id rather call phone lines.
As I said above, we no longer have plans to charge a supplement for calling over 3G. Hope that clears things up!
I am new to iphones and skype. Should I be in a foreign country can I use my iphone to call a land line in the US? Do I have to do anything special, except be in a wifi area?Can I use the phone on a cruise ship? Is there extra charges for that?