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lifethroughalens

3:27 PM on 23 April, 2009

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Well done 3!

I bet there's some scratching of heads at O2 and Vodafone HQ today :)

However, until the Skype software is fully integrated into the OS of the phone and is very simple and reliable to use (and update), I doubt that there will be, in all reality, that many users of this service. Most people I know are still stressing out and confused about using Skype on their computers!

And let's face it, 3G network coverage and reliability pretty much sucks even on the big two networks, especially if you traveling at the time of the conversation (ie not static with full signal strength). Still it's a good cheap PR exercise with a practical use for people willing to give it a try.

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rav

3:46 PM on 23 April, 2009

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Think I'll be heading out to bag an INQ each for me and the mrs. Wanted to get one for a while and this is as good an excuse as any.

What a brave and courageous move. They defintely deserve more success.

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Aetheric

3:53 PM on 23 April, 2009

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I'm truly and honestly shocked. The CEO must have balls the size of the moon.

This is the best news I've heard all day. How long will it be before other telcos follow suit in a bid to retain customers?

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theory28

3:58 PM on 23 April, 2009

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Its an interesting proposition, but it makes me wonder how sustainable it is for them long term.

I have heard recently that branch managers of 3 stores have been told they need to re-sign their contracts before june that effectively state they must take a 12% pay cut or leave.

the path to being a truly Mobile ISP seems like it will be a bloody one, indeed...

but from a consumer perspective - hey, say hello to unhindered skype and goodbye to pricey international calls to family abroad!

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lifethroughalens

4:24 PM on 23 April, 2009

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Extra Info - Just contacted 3... if you buy a sim card only from 3 @£9.99, you have to top up your account with a minimum of £10 every 3 months in order 'to activate' the free skype to skype stuff - weather or not you have used any credit.

Normal data is charged at 10p per megabyte on the same PAYG sim - they didn't know what unit data use was rounded up to. (ie if you use 8Kb do they round up to 10Kb, if you use 80Kb do they round up to 100Kb etc... or if they actually add up actual received data).

I am not a fan of paying per MB on data - they always screw you over with charges for failed loading web pages and crashed web browsers just after the page loads...can get expensive. Other than that, you'll be looking at a 12-24 month contract.

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Xiphias

4:35 PM on 23 April, 2009

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£3.33 a month minimum spend then, so much for unconditional eh?

Somebody should make a dictionary throwing machine so we can use it on all these lying phone/broadband companies.

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Jay4d0

4:59 PM on 23 April, 2009

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@ lifethroughalens

I may be mistaken but that was their old skype deal and this is the new one replacing that one and it will be introduced in a couple of weeks so thats will be why you were told that.

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lifethroughalens

5:20 PM on 23 April, 2009

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@Jay

You might be right mate, i did explain clearly that i was talking about the new offer announced today, not any one before this.

Still she seemed confident enough that she knew what i was on about and gave me that info. But from many hours bitter experience, i know you can't trust call centre staff, from any company, anywhere...about anything, ever, in the world.

:-)

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Justin

2:20 PM on 24 April, 2009

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@lifethroughalens

This is the current offer, the new skype one hasnt been introduced yet, it starts on the 1st May

Free Skype to Skype 3G Mobile Calls and Instant Messages

23rd April , 2009

Europe UK : In a world first, 3 UK is opening up its network to allow anyone with a 3 SIM and a compatible handset to enjoy unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages without ever having to pay.

From 1 May, there will be no data charges or top-up fees for either contract or pay-as-you-go customers who use Skype on 3’s UK network. Anyone with a 3 Skype-enabled handset will be able to buy a 3 SIM and talk as much as they want to other Skype users without ever having to pay another penny.

During the summer, 3 will expand its offer making it possible for anyone with a compatible unlocked 3G handset in the UK, to take advantage of free Skype calls, whether or not their phone is from 3. Anyone that wants to talk on a mobile for free will be able to use a Skype-enabled 3 SIM to make and receive totally free Skype-to-Skype calls and to use Skype’s instant messaging (IM).

By removing these key barriers to Skype-to-Skype calls, 3 UK is creating a compelling reason for new customers to join 3 and to enjoy all the products and services available on the UK’s biggest mobile broadband network.

Kevin Russell, Chief Executive Officer of 3 UK, said:

“Communication through the internet is exploding. Internet calling or VoIP, social networking, instant messaging and email are used by millions in the UK every single day. They are open to all on their PCs and laptops. We want people to be free to communicate from their mobiles in the same way as they do from their PCs.

“In future you will be able to buy a 3 SIM for unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls for less than the price of a cup of coffee and talk for as much as you want without ever paying us another penny. We won’t ask you for a top-up or a monthly commitment. If you want to talk on a mobile for free, just join us and give it a go. This is for everyone.”

Josh Silverman, President of Skype said:

“Demand for mobile access from our users has never been higher. The introduction of unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages across all 3 price plans is a really exciting move from a key partner. 3 UK clearly understands the desire for people to use Skype wherever and whenever they want. This is the first mobile network to show this kind of innovation to enable their customers to access Skype.

“We believe this is how the future looks for the Internet on mobile. With this bold move 3 UK has again shown their willingness to be the customer champion for mobile services in the UK.”

Currently, 3 UK’s growing Skype community enjoys 1.5 million minutes of free Skype-to-Skype calls every day. The launch of the first 3 Skypephone in October 2007 really kick-started the growth of free internet calling on the 3 network. With over 433 million people registered on Skype worldwide, the new free Skype-to-Skype offer from 3 opens up a world of free calling.

Two years experience of providing open access to Skype-to-Skype calling has enabled 3 and Skype to better understand the behaviour of mobile Skype users. Success with an easy-to-use Skype experience on more specialised internet-enabled handsets, such as the INQ1 and the 3 Skypephone collection; has proven to 3 that enabling customers to make free Skype calls to other Skype users on their mobiles or PCs is a real benefit.

3 UK has found that regular Skype users:

* Are less likely to churn than non-Skype users

* Use more traditional voice minutes than non-Skype users in addition to calling their Skype contacts

* Use Skype IM, but also send more SMS than non-Skype users

* Are more likely to browse the internet on their mobile

* Are higher margin customers

* Are twice as likely to access social networking sites as non-Skype customers

“Today we are moving in a clear direction towards making Skype-to-Skype calling available to all UK mobile consumers,” said Mr Russell. “We know that Skype users are instinctive communicators, keen social networkers and mobile internet users. They love the things that we are building the UK’s biggest mobile broadband network for.

“Our network is built to deliver the benefits of the internet to the mobile. That’s why we’re removing the conditions and restrictions from our current Skype offer and opening up the opportunity to try free internet calling to all UK mobile users, whether they are currently with us or a competitor network.”

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lifethroughalens

7:08 PM on 24 April, 2009

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You see? A prime example - you can't trust anything that comes out of the mouth of a call center agent!

The best bit that will really shake it up:

"During the summer, 3 will expand its offer making it possible for anyone with a compatible unlocked 3G handset in the UK, to take advantage of free Skype calls, whether or not their phone is from 3. Anyone that wants to talk on a mobile for free will be able to use a Skype-enabled 3 SIM to make and receive totally free Skype-to-Skype calls and to use Skype’s instant messaging (IM)."

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Nick11

7:47 PM on 16 May, 2009

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I called 3 today looking to change deals specifically to take advantage of the Skype calls and was told quite clearly that these were for international calls only - not UK calls.

This is not at all clear in the marketting. If you call a Skype contact in the UK, from the UK you will be charged for it. Nothing free about that.

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