It’s hard being different.
For years Skype has been something different. A new kind of communications company. One that does all the things that a cutting-edge 2.0 new age telecommunications company should be doing.
But today it seems that they’ve come to the reality that sometimes you just have to be like everyone else.
The launch of Skype for SIP, a beta program that gives you Skype trunking functionality for your SIP based VoIP PBX systems, is big news for many in the industry.
Except isn’t this just a me-too trunking service? A way for businesses to take advantage of the economies offered by Skype’s peer-to-peer network.
Sorry folks. There is nothing big here except cheap minutes. The same thing that most in the industry detest hearing from VoIP providers.
Innovation and cutting edge doesn’t always pay the bills. Today we found out Skype knows this. And that’s why they’re once again going into minute stealer mode.
There is money in “plumbing.” Especially if yours is cheaper.
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Inbound calling from Skype instances makes this more than 'trunking' Garrett. It is also a closed first version beta - there is a lot of useful information that can be sent inside SIP headers that can be added in the future - I think it is something worth supporting and Skype gets a pat on the back for taking this step. The first step to 'intelligent CLID' ??
@ Andrew
You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but at some point we all need to start talking about today and what can be done, rather than tomorrow and what could be done.
From an SMB perspective this is nothing more then a low cost orig/term product. Something that is already available from hundreds of others today - that requires no BETA's, special software, etc.
Does this trump the Asterisk/Skype play announced Astricon?
Garrett - If you look at it as Skype being just another domestic SIP provider, I agree with your analysis. However I don't think you're seeing the bigger picture... Skype has a huge international presence that could have a tremendous impact on SIP. Their "plumbing" reaches many places that domestic SIP providers can't come close to reaching.
@Zach
Great thought.
But even at an international level shouldn't this announcement still be ho-hum?
After all, plumbing is plumbing :)
@ Dave
Not sure. I don't think trumps it. I think it helps legitimize it.
Especially if Skype can manage to get in the Cisco/Avaya/3Com space.
@Dave - Digium needs to layout a public roadmap for features in the SFA beta pretty quick. SILK integration, Presence and IM support to name a few, but you're right it knocks it down a few notches.
@Zach, great point - hadn't thought of that.
@Garrett, Skype is 5 years old and is responsible for 8% of the cross border international calling, without any business direction to speak of. Pretty impressive, you almost sound like you think they shouldn't try to disrupt trunking by adding new features and reach? not very capitalistic of you :)