The topic of discussion is going to be about Skype, a propitiatory, freeware VOIP Software, Well for the uninitiated Skype is a Free VOIP software. It allows you to make voice calls over the internet between skype users anywhere in the world for free. The software can also be loaded onto handhelds. They have gone on to provide other functionality which we will discuss later in this post.

Recently I got a hold of this presentation of one of the founders of skype at the Von Canada conference ; it was a very interesting presentation with some key insights into the direction of VOIP.

Excerpt:
As broadband becomes ubiquitous, most voice calls will migrate to the Internet using free software, on the edges of the Internet, that remove barriers to more natural forms of communication.
That software is Skype.

(This is the vision of the organisation, as identified here with broad band becoming ubiquitous & free software is the keys that are helping skype become a force to reckon with.)

Telecom Transition:

• Many Networks Become One (Everything is moving to the internet)


• Phones are Becoming computers (PDA Integrated/ Treo 650)


• Telephony is becoming an App (Skype, Vonage)


• ...New Game with an App


• Economics
  
  
  • Zero customer acquisition costs
  
  
  • Zero marginal costs per call minute
  
  
  • You can't charge for calls anymore
  
  

Skype - Why Now:

• Over 100 million computers connected to broadband Internet last year


• Massive bandwidth available -- QoS is moot


• Powerful computers


• Wi-fi

Is SKYPE already inside the enterprise or Will it in the near future -- Comments Please.Prashanth Rai