The long-resisted relationship between mobile telecom providers and Skype is beginning to change, and Verizon is taking the lead this time by partnering with Skype. Beginning in March, Verizon smart phone customers will be able to use their phone’s 3G connection to place Skype-to-Skype, send IMs and make International calls. The Skype Mobile client app will be available for several Blackberry and Android models.
Wired explains why mobile providers have been resistant to Skype until now,
Mobile operators have long resisted letting Skype run on “their” phones — fearing the disruptive, cut-rate service would cut into the money they make selling by-the-minute voice plans and up-charging for SMS messages. They’ve also argued that Skype’s protocols overwhelm mobile phone towers, even when calls aren’t being made.
AT&T and Apple notoriously blocked Skype from using the iPhone’s 3G connection, effectively crippling the application. Skype has been pushing the FCC for years to require phone operators to open up their systems the way AT&T had to in the 1960s — letting any application and device connect, not just the ones pre-approved by the telecom.
Wired suggests that Verizon may have realized that the FCC was contemplating changing certain regulations in the mobile industry, especially since the whole Google Voice and Apple episode this summer.
Verizon’s approach illustrates an interested take on marketing. John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless poignantly noted the strategy behind this new partnership,
Skype mobile on Verizon Wireless changes the game. For Verizon Wireless’ more than 90 million customers, Skype mobile adds great value because we’re effectively giving customers with smartphones and data plans the option to extend their unlimited calling community to hundreds of millions of Skype users around the globe. And you’re not limited to using a single type of phone; we’ll have nine smartphones ready right at launch in March.
Resistance to change is not always the best way to go. Even when a partnership seems to potentially cannibalize other profitable practices (in this case- by the minute voice-plans, etc.), sometimes the most beneficial approach is to embrace the inevitable change in a manner that will add significant value to your product offering. Create the ripple effect yourself, instead of jumping in after everyone else.
Related posts:
- Skype Releases Click to Call for Salesforce CRM
- iPhone FaceTime and Skype- Friends or Foes? [VoteByPhone Poll]
- Can SkypeKit Get Your Products Plugged into Skype?
- What’s Your Visual?
- Vivox- Voice Chat Live on Facebook
