VoIP Systems | iPhone Users to Start Paying for Skype

In a surprising reversal, popular VoIP phone service provider Skype has announced that they will start charging iPhone users to use their service over AT&T’s 3G network. This comes just a year after Skype had said their service would always be free between Skype subscribers logged into their accounts. (Interestingly, Skype will remain free of charge to users on the Verizon network.) Apparently “always” isn’t quite.

Since 2003 when it first went public, Skype has been the leader in consumer VoIP. Easy to use and free, the Skype software application uses the Internet to make phone calls. Its popularity is unsurprising. But when the pioneer in VoIP starts charging for what was a free offering, you have to expect some repercussions.

Not to worry.

As you know, we still believe strongly in the utility of VoIP systems for the business segment. A VoIP platform can often deliver content-rich communications with more flexibility, easier management, and at a lower cost than a conventional PBX system. Despite Skype’s recent policy change, though tangential to business telephony, we still feel that the adoption of a VoIP-based system can positively affect SMBs’ communications costs. Call us and find out.

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