Skype Journal

Skype promised Skype-to-Skype calls will be free forever.

Forever comes September 2010 for Skype for iPhone users. Skype is defining mobile apps as a new class of service requiring a separate “mobile subscription.”

From the “Details” page:

Skype on 3G/Edge

What does the “free Skype trial” mean?

You can now make and receive Skype-to-Skype calls and call phones over 3G from your iPhone.

To get you started, we’re offering you free Skype-to-Skype calls over 3G until at least the end of August 2010. After that there’ll be a small monthly fee.

Remember, you can always make free Skype-to-Skype calls from a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Skype now says its app for iPhone and iPod touch comes with “Free Skype-to-Skype calls from any WiFi zone.” [My emphasis.] A new limit emerges.

Safe to say the same will apply to Skype for Blackberry and Skype for Android unless subsidized by a partner carrier like Verizon or Three.

This breaks Skype’s promise that Skype-to-Skype calls will always be free. The pledge is fundamental to Skype’s brand, to Skype’s freemium model, to the simplicity of trying Skype before buying premium services. No longer can you say “Skype-to-Skype is free.” Now add “except when…” and hope you get it right.

I appreciate Skype’s need to drive new subscriptions.

Breaking faith with your core brand promise is not the way.