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.
Well i already used other service for VOIP over 3G that is free… so i will not pay for Skype over 3G…
As soon as I saw the notice of the upcoming fee I returned to my home screen, removed skype and rated it 1 star. Moving on from skype. Glad I’m canceled my unlimited calling a few monts ago, I WAS ACTULY GOING TO RENEW IT IF THE CALL QUALITY WAS GOOD OVER 3G!
Unbeleivable. I am already paying ATT for voice and data, Skype for Skype Pro and voice mail, and now I have to pay for Skype to Skype calls over 3G???? Not going to happen.
Don’t give the “it’s a substantial investment” arguement for charging. No other platform is charged, you already charge for skype to non skype calls – which is perfectly fair. Free skype to skype calls have always been the reason people used skype, back at day one you used to advertise and be proud of the fact that skype didn’t use any infrastructure and hence why you could make it for free. The only reason to date that skype hasn’t made free skype to skype calls over 3G is because Apple didn’t let you. Now if you are being made to pay some royalty to do this then fine, admit it…
I’m sure I won’t be alone in stating that I’ll never pay for a skype to skype call. There are plenty of completely free sip providers out there who will happily take the reigns of free VOIP leader away from you if you try it.
@peterparkes
Peter, the one thing that is not clear for me and I was hoping that you could clarify: regarding the charges for 3G Skype-Skype calls, are these specific for those using the iPhone app? Or, no matter what, all of us are subject to the fees when the calls are placed through 3G (assuming that these are not 3 UK or Verizon US users)?
For what it’s worth, I don’t quite agree with your water/coffee analogy. Take Microsoft, Apple and Mozilla as examples: they provide software (browsers) which require Internet connection to work at full capacity (as Skype does); that said, what would be one plausible justification for them to charge me if I use their software using a different network protocol? (costs of development isn’t really a nice answer here, because these are tools that allow them to have a huge group of users on their platform – many of them who are willing to pay for premium services).
Skype’s profit comes from credit purchases and subscription services, and the broad and free access to its technology on Skype-to-Skype calls is what increased the number of general and subscription-based users that made Skype such a big deal today.
Regardless the network structure used to place the call, Skype-to-Skype calls are *not* a premium service – they are proof-of-concept (it’s like paying the water company to show that the water they deliver at my house is wet and has 2 molecules of hydrogen and 1 of oxygen). Premium services are emergency calls, Skype-In numbers, Voicemail, Voicemail -> SMS….
For the record, I’m a relatively happy Skype credit and Skype subscription user, who will definitely cancel the services once Skype starts charging Skype-to-Skype 3G calls – it’s a matter of principle.
For me – SKYPE BROKE ITS PROMISE! For a long time I heard that free Skype-Skype calls remains at heart of Skype company and that’s your unique selling proposition.
Peter I agree ith you that sometimes people are willing to pay for extended functionality – but with this argument – you and your entire company lost moral right to discuss the network neutrality issue and neutrality of my Internet experience. Don’t try to convince me that you’re something better than AT&T now.
For all others – use other skype clients or just change the VoIP software – Skype is not the only one option you have.
Public chat room for this topic, vent your anger and frustration at this shameful news, skype:?chat&blob=4OpdqwtzW9q7SlGA4ZeNILUAxseYmGnQqegZ0MeK6fPpVBNK_NPt1MAUyuMYfgLsONQ1gdzKrs7DKRFc
OZKjknywwA
copy and paste in your browser
I’m so mad at Skype I can’t breathe. I foolishly gave them $25 for nothing. I thot I had to give them money to talk to my daughter in Scotland and I don’t……now I can’t get the money back and there’s no one to contact. They take you around in circles.
I’m pissed at them as well as myself!
Finally calls over 3G, how we have waited! Great!
BUT: To even think about charging us users for this service in the future is an outrage. Seriously, is this some kind of pressure you get from other parties (IE Apple/Verizon/AT&T)?
Don’t go there. I will uninstall Skype from all my devices and computers the day you start charging for Skype-to-Skype, and I believe I am not alone.
By the way, kudos for giving individual response to the comments here. It shows you care about us customers, but please show respect to our concern.
I already pay for Skype-to-Phone, which I am glad to for the extra value. But charging differently depending on what client the user is calling from is more like charging more for the coffee I make at home if I’m going to put milk in it.
I can understand if Skype charges a small fee for VOIP on 3G, understandably it’s probably AT&T twisting their arm. But, I do feel 3G Skype service should be free for paying Skype customer, like myself. I use your service to talk with my family who live overseas, but if you begin to charge me another fee on top of what I currently pay for your service it will become cheaper for me to simply use prepaid international calling cards again. The economy isn’t exactly great for everyone; be our corporate knight in shining armor in an age of blood sucking mobile giants.
I will not pay an extra charge to use Skype over 3G.
I will pay for SIP and close my Skype account.
Skype, you have lost your Mojo.
This is very sad.
You were once the people’s champion.
Look, if Skype over 3G uses some new-fangled technology (hence the new coffee machine) ok. It has value and Skype should be compensated.
Why not then charge users for a 3G enabled version? Everytime you improve it, release a new version then charge for it again.
I cannot conceive of any logic whereby someone can justify charging not just once, twice, or even thrice but _every_ month for a new coffee machine…
Look, if Skype over 3G uses some new-fangled technology (hence the new coffee machine) ok. It has value and Skype should be compensated.
Why not then charge users for a 3G enabled version? Everytime you improve it, release a new version then charge for it again.
I cannot conceive of any logic whereby someone can justify charging not just once, twice, or even thrice but _every_ month for a new coffee machine…
I have my question about this new cost-change that will be next year.
1- If I use my Iphone terthering modo and use my Laptop with skype do I have to pay?
2- How do they know if I use 3G or Wifi mode?
3- If I’m continuing using my old version of skype do I have to pay (I’ve it blackrained it and was able to call since a year over 3G)?
I hope that someone of skype will response all this questions. Anyway so I will use Skype next year to call land-lines over 3G (there are other ways to call over internet for free).
There have been questions about Skype on Android with Verizon. Here is what I have found:
Skype to Skype are free, BUT, they use the phone side of service, not 3G.
Skype to landlines and cell phones use your Verizon minutes. If you have a subscription to Skype for unlimited calling in USA and Canada, it still works, BUT you use cell phone minutes to make the call.
If you have a SkypeIn or now known as Online Skype number, it will work when you are on a PC BUT will not work with Skype on your Android cell phone, so people calling you while you are using your Android with Verizon will not connect to you.
The Verizon Android Skype will NOT let you use Skype over WiFi.
Like others, I am concerned. I have the “unlimited” data plan from Verizon, so paying again to use Skype on 3g does seem like double dipping. I suspect that ATT allowed Skype to begin using 3g AND eliminated their “unlimited” so that they not only get you to pay more sooner, they also get you to pay Skype also which I suspect that Skype will have to surrender some of that money to ATT so ATT wins twice, Skype wins once and the customer gets screwed.
The question is how long before Verizon does the same? If they do, then Skype will be removed from my cell phone. It was already severely limited and making you pay for less, well, is insulting.
Anyone know how you get to this “rapid access to the dial pad from the home screen?” It’s not so rapid if you can’t find it. Thanks!
There is skype on android mobiles. I just downloaded on mine through planet 3 link in Uk. I don’t see how others can’t do it though because the file was .apk and should work on others as far as i know. I can probably try to post it for people?
My Skype stop working after last nigth update to version 2.0 !!! What should I do ? How do I go back to the previous version ?
@brianridgway we haven’t made decisions about other platforms or operators yet. And the model is absolutely not broken – we’re continuing to use it!
@kevtha the proposed fees are more than justified by the investment in engineering, R&D and design which we’ve made (and will continue to make) in order to create great products.
@jeyges sorry to hear that – what happens when you try?
@jon.leto sorry to hear you had a bad experience – what did the call quality indicator say?
@sprognak @robert.edstrom this is a decision we’ve made by ourselves.
@beniltoncarvalho premium services are also ones which our customers find valuable – give it a try and see what you think.
@shaunbenza so you’re willing to pay, but not to pay us – why, out of interest?
@bhpaterson01 just leave the app with the dial pad active when you close it; when you open it again, you’ll be taken straight back to the dial pad.
@freddy.angel what happened – do you get an error message?
I have an unlimited subscription, do i still need to pay for calling over 3g?
Its ridiculous if i have to pay for my 12gb data plan, an unlimited world subscription, and skypes 3g call charges. All just to make an overseas call!!
I agree that it is unfair to have to pay a monthly fee for the skype app enabling calls on 3G. A one-time small fee would be much more appropriate. We already pay for the data plan with our provider.
Sorry about the above, that didn’t work try this for the public chat on Skype’s proposal skype:?chat&blob=tgLZDhPVCvtEn7gB610Dyd8tElLVSuCdaRdnNUsX79OLiym1dxFx0Wjc7c68mJ8qn5mpZu_ljWNJbEF7GUo-vT7iobjU
Hi Peter,
How will this work in the UK. I already have a Network 3 subscription which includes free skype to skype calls. I then put their sim into an unlocked iPhone and I can’t make free calls any longer but still pay the same monthly subscription? Does look like an iPhone tax to me @peehsb
@Peter Parkes: So why penalise the iPhone platform? Or is this to be all mobile platforms – in which case will you charge Mac users (as this is a seperate development from the PC)? If you begin charging for all of those, then how long until you start asking for payment for any skype to skype type call and skype ends up being another useless provider like Vonage…
You see, you’re going down a slipery slope here. You guys must know this is against the primary reason your users have for using Skype – it’s free. What about people who use other open clients – such as Fring (which also supports VOIP calls using Skype). You didn’t develop Fring, it’s been available for years on all platforms (including older Symbian platforms). You are justifying the right to charge based on your R&D costs, but you didn’t R&D fring…
“the proposed fees are more than justified by the investment in engineering, R&D and design which we’ve made (and will continue to make) in order to create great products.”
But you’re NOT charging for the product. You’re charging for the service. The service has ALWAYS been free and is STILL stated as free on your website.
By all means sell the Skype app in the appstore, but don’t charge for a service when your entire business since conception has been built on the promise that it was free…
When is skype available on Xperia
There have been a number of comments regarding the imposition of fees for the use of Skype over the 3G network beginning at the end of 2010. Your response is always try it for free until the end of the year – implying one has nothing loose.
For somebody considering the purchase of an iPad or iPod Touch/iPhone there is something to loose. If the primary use of a device is as a VOIP client, one might prefer to purchase the WiFi only models and not be subject to any monthly fees. If 3G iPad is purchased now for a VOIP client, what you’re saying is that it is now impossible for the customers to have any idea what total monthly costs will eventually be.
The incentive to know pricing NOW (and not the end of the year) is because ATT will be eliminating unlimited 3G access in the US after June 6, 2010, after which data usage fees will be unknown if use exceeds 3G subscription limits. New Skype fees at the end of the year add to pricing uncertainty.
So that’s why not to “why not try it until the end of the year.”
I for one will not be supporting Skype if the charges for using it over 3G come into effect.
The thought that they could get away with this blatant misdirection of their main unique selling point is the first stab at Skype loosing credibility. Everyone with a mobile phone is paying for a coverage plan, so are already paying for calls and internet. Why pay an extra fee to make calls when you can already do this?
Skype as it is now is a great service but adding the charge for making Skype to Skype calls over 3G is nothing more than a rip-off and a lack of care for listening to it’s customers thoughts and requests.
Skype, you have been warned.
Let’s see if they actually listen to their customers now.
Peter, the people have spoken and the vast majority have said they do not want Skype to Skype calls over 3G to be a chargeable service.
Will skype simply ignore the customers wishes and bulldoze everyone into this or will they show some backbone and go with customers legitimate requests regarding this?
data calls are not really free. We pay a monthly subscription for our data plan to the sevice provider. VOIP service suppose to be free using that data platform. when we have to pay for the VOIP calls , actually we pay double charge. one for the data and for the calls. this will be the end of skype as why do we have to pay for skype, when we can directly dial the number from our phone ? isnt it the same ? (may be little less in prize).
This is another rip off from apple. they want money in every thing do (may be not all but most of the things) my advice is , buy some other phone like nokia N8/N900 where they have built in skype and those companies are not to make a buck out of other peoples work. skype can charge for VOIP calls but that will be the end of this lovely company, cos there will be some one who will give us VOIP free. and it will be the nature that we will be grabbing it with whole of our hart
Free calls
It’s what Skype is made for.
Using Skype to call another person who also has Skype is totally free. Yep, absolutely nothing. Zip. Zero. Zilch.
Free Skype-to-Skype calls.
To anywhere in the world.
And at any time, day or night, morning or weekends.
Free calling
You’ve downloaded Skype, and so has your friend. Now you can get started on the really cool stuff – such as making completely free and great quality calls from your computer. That’s the great thing about Skype, you can use your internet connection and turn your computer into an internet phone and make free Skype-to-Skype calls.
@sprognak it’s not about penalising the iPhone platform – we haven’t determined whether or not there’ll be charges for calling over 3G on other platforms yet.
my input for what it is worth…..Firstly, I used Skype over 3G on the weekend to call Australia from the UK. It worked brilliantly. The clarity was excellent and there was no delay on the line. A couple of times for about 10 secs the sound pixelated. But this disappeared quickly. The line dropped out once (in a 40 min call) due to network slowness. Overall I was very impressed.
Regarding the charging issue which everyone appears to be very passionate about….I am not averse for Skype to continue charging as it does now over a PC/Mac for calls to landlines/mobiles. So the cost of a call over 3G comes out of my Skype balance. I don’t agree with charging for Skype-to-Skype calls over any medium. As stated, many times above, this has always been Skype’s big thing -> that Skype-to-Skype calls are always free. Why change this now? I understand about business costs rising, and having to pay for engineering and development etc. But why alter your base philosophy and upset so many of your customers?
Helen
I would think that the introduction yesterday by Steve Jobs of FaceTime which Apple aims to make an open industry standard must have put a spanner in Skype plans whatever they are. A game changer…
the main attraction of Skype on the iPhone is Skype to Skype calling, the quality is normally pretty good, SkypeOut and similar subscription offers obviously create revenue streams but my experience is that the results are very hit and miss, I gave up on using these services and just use it purely for Skype to Skype, being able to do that over 3G would be convenient, but not at a cost, I’ll stick to using it for free over Wi-Fi, if they start to charge for that then I’ll just give it away altogether, I have other VoIP services and apps that work well and don’t have subscription costs so will just stick to using those
@peterparkes
Hi Peter, I’m not sure what you meant by “premium services are also ones which our customers find valuable – give it a try and see what you think”… I’m a Skype user for years (including Skype Credit and paid subscription), isn’t that enough?
Anyhow… Thoughts about the questions on my previous post (which I paste below for your convenience)?
“Peter, the one thing that is not clear for me and I was hoping that you could clarify: regarding the charges for 3G Skype-Skype calls, are these specific for those using the iPhone app? Or, no matter what, all of us are subject to the fees when the calls are placed through 3G (assuming that these are not 3 UK or Verizon US users)?”
I’m not sure about Verizon US… but 3 UK promised us (I’m one of their customers) free Skype-to-Skype calls for life (which is placed through 3G, as far as I understand)….
I did warn you this could happen, but nobody listened!!! As previous complaints have said Skype to skype has always been free. But sadly now that selling point which built Skype as a company has been threaten by greedy filthy thieves. They say that pc skype to skype has not been affected and wireless skype will remain free. But i say for how long??? Maybe not long for all greedy people and companies see only dollar signs!!!! But as i know and so do some others there are alternatives to free voip communications one such company is nimbuzz another is fring….Nimbuzz is the next big all rounder which has support for pc to pc , pc to mobile and mobile to mobile at present fring is mobile to mobile only. The telco’s are scared because they now have true competition to their carrier networks. Because all we really need is a data plan from the telco’s and nothing more, just like our data plans for the internet. If skype needs revenue for R AND D then they really should consider making us pay for each new release of the software in the apple app store. Doing this will help keep skype to skype free on all there platforms pc to pc, pc to mobile and mobile to mobile.
But if they dont consider these options and leave skype to skype free then droves of loyal customer will flock to other alternatives like fring and nimbuzz!!!
So Skype will you listen? Or will we jump ship while we see yours sink!!!!
Regards,
Moggy the Skype Guru
The Telcom are going to adapt and ultimately win because people are not going to endlessly have hundred of apps to talk to people with on top of it different devices. They need interporality on the same device. Steve Jobs nailed it when he unveiled FaceTime. At home I am the only one that uses Skype my daughter and all her friends are all on (so called – i.e. monthly 20 euro top-up) free mobile to mobile call within the same telcom.
Not for nothing the reaction of Skype – on Cnet yesterday (09/06). Re. –
Skype confirms, wants FaceTime with Apple’s iPhone 4 video calling
This is certainly an interesting development. The ability to make VOIP calls over the mobile data network is nothing new, of course. And Skype on the iPhone has been around for a while. What’s new is the combination of the two—and the fee, of course. This will be the first time Skype has attempted to charge users for Skype-to-Skype calls.
Visit my blog to read more of my thoughts about Skype on mobile devices.
I can understand how ti must look like just a cash cow for skype to try rake in some extra dollars. But I think it will backfire if they go down this road as there are plenty of other voip services offering freer user to user calls over any connection. But having said that i just changed service providers to Three (Drei) and took the optional skype packet which is very cheap. It gives me 5000 minutes per month so it wont really bother me. BUt i think if they want paid user for skype to skype the best option would be skype to skype remains free for subscription customers. That way they get to collect some extra money and wont tick to many people off and most likely will even pick up alot more subscribers. Skype to Skype free calls still costs someone money somewhere down the track and paying a litle for it would be alot better option then having to hear advertising on the line before your cal is connected. And that would most likely be there alternative way of covering skype to skype cost charges they incur,.
I think a main issue on this thread is that we feel miffed to have to pay a further charge for Skype and iPhone when we already have a worldwide monthly subscription with Skype. That indeed is double charging. As a long time paid subscriber to Skype, I would not pay additional fees.
My second issue is not related to iPhone but perhaps Skype could answer why we still don’t have Skype for Palm WebOS? Quite frankly AT&T’s new charges means I’ll be leaving AT&T and the iPhone and I’m guessing so will many people once they see their new bills.
@beniltoncarvalho @audreypeters as I mentioned above, we haven’t yet determined what the pricing mechanism will be – you make assumptions about how it’ll work
@peterparkes, thanks… let’s hope for the best (we for ours, skype for theirs)
Hi, I have tried your Skype over 3g to call a mobile phone from my Iphone 3gs and it works fine, but I paid for this from my Skype credit. I do not think its fair to charge for skype to skype calls, you should just charge a one off fee for the app but if you do decide to charge I will remove skype from my iphone and use fring instead.
Skype hi! the iphone app is amazing. Now with the iphone4 is it possible to insert videocalling????? I am looking foward to your reply!!! Again excellent work…
Skype, are you being charged to run voice data over mobile phone provider networks?
If no, then please explain why you would change your long standing policy of skype-skype calls being free.
If yes, then please make that clear and I’m sure many of is the form would understand a lot more as to why we would be charged for this service.
thank you
No biggie, nobody is twisting our arms to use it, and I won’t. Of course, it doesn’t cost Skype anything extra to route data traffic from a 3G connection. Bandwidth is bandwidth. 3G is already obscenely expensive, and telecoms are getting away with murder (and they have for years: with current long-distance charges not having anything to do with reality, laughable SMS rates, etc.). Skype simply wants in on the action — charge the user for something that doesn’t cost a cent more to provide.
Wow I can’t believe skype to skype over 3g won’t be free anymore. Skype is going down the drain by the looks of it
… that is ridiculous. Skype over 3G will cost money ???
I pay for the 3G connection to my provider already it is not Skypes business how I go online. Really scary !!! I hope they will reconsider that stupid plan. So for I like Skype and don’t wanna hate it from 2011 (I hope somebody will read this comment !)