Probably the most well known form of voice over internet protocol, is Skype’s text, voice, and videochat allows users to communicate with “peers” over the internet. Skype uses their proprietary VoIP network called Skype protocol. The main difference between Skype and other VoIP clients is that Skype uses a peer-to-peer model, which is different from the usual client-server model. The application also allows for phone calls to be placed to traditional phone networks. Calls between Skype users are free, but calls to landlines and mobile phones are charged a fee.
According to TeleGeography, the telecom data research company, Skype’s international traffic grew 36 percent in 2013. Last year Skype carried an estimated 214 billion minutes of international calls. In growth terms, it is now outpacing all the other global telecom companies. It is no surprise that services such as AIM and Yahoo Messenger are dying rapidly. The recent trend in mobile messaging apps is a factor that will continue to affect skypes market share. Facebook messaging system is a major player in desktop messaging, and in recent months they have made a push to integrate the same system in the mobile world. Skype has likely done so well due to a first mover advantage in the market. Skype is a highly demanded product on the market. Skype was bought by ebay for 1.4 billion dollars in 2010. Skype stocks then were offered to the general public by ebay in 2010. Later in 2011 Microsoft bought skype from ebay for 8.5 billion dollars.
Skype’s competitive strategy is offering product differentiation and low cost. Skype has many different features. It is available on smart phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops and allows user to make international calls for free. Skype users are identified by special Skype names, and they are also listed in the Skype directory. Voice Chat allows Skype users to use their phones to communicate between pairs of users and conference calls are also available. Skype’s Text chat client, allows Skype users to write text and use emoticons. Skype is easy to use and free to between users. This ease of access has allowed Skype's international traffic to grow.
Sources:
http://bgr.com/2013/05/23/skype-market-share-whatsapp-kik/
Who are some of Skype's competitors and why haven't they been able to keep up? What are the differences in the products they each offer?
ReplyDeleteWe chose to discuss Skype versus Facetime and Xbox connect. There is also Google Hangout. I think Skype and Facetime are the most popular applications
ReplyDeletei like Skye. it is fast and clear when you try to talk to whoever you are talking to. skype is popular right, this it? i never hear of facetime.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes skype the most popular app, what puts them ahead of everyone else?
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine my life without Skype! Without it I won't be able to talk to my family and friends that often (let alone seeing them!), discuss projects in group chat, show pictures and share screens, send files, etc. I wish they had voice-mail option like Yahoo!Messenger used to have.
ReplyDeleteThe quality is another concern. How come there is a better quality/signal when I talk to some one from Russia than I communicate within USA?
For some reason Skype's main use is oversees communication, I think they mostly work on making long distance calls better quality.
ReplyDelete