Unlimited*, Skype Style
This seemingly never ending misuse of the word unlimited continues onward. Skype , like many other providers of telecommunication services, offer “unlimited*” calling plans to the regular phone network. The details of unlimited are hidden in the asterisk, of course, or what Skype refers to as their ” Fair Usage Policy .”
To Skype’s credit, they lay out the limits in plain and simple details and explain what happens when you exceed the limits. Here are the specific details (current as of 9 February 2009):
- 10,000 minutes per user per month
- No more than 50 different phone numbers per day
- No more than 6 hours of calling per day
- If you exceed any of these limits, Skype’s normal calling rates (and connection fees) apply
In reality, these seem like completely realistic limits. I don’t know too many people that would even come close to these limits. I could certainly see some people using a Skype account with Unlimited calling on a PBX and “sharing” an account. These limits are designed to make such sharing a bit more difficult.
Still, I’d prefer something other than the term unlimited. Can’t even call this unmetered. What would you call it?
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Tags: Asterisk, Services, skype, Telecommunication, voip Fnord
Comment by spg
perhaps they could call it a ‘flat rate high volume package.’ i personally have a bigger problem with the fact that they will ‘charge regular rates’ when you go over the limits. many people would prefer to be cut off than face overages. skype and everyone else should ‘cut off’ the line until further use is ‘approved’ instead of simply debiting for the calls. a simple warning that you must click to confirm you are willing to pay would be sufficient.
it will be interesting to see if these packages will be usable with ‘skype for asterisk’ or if only pay as you go will be offered. i believe that they may be losing money on account that consistently ‘just hit the limit.’ of course integration with asterisk will make it quite possible to route exactly 10,000 each month on a certain account.
Comment by PhoneBoy
It’s not like Skype’s overage rates are as bad as the mobile phone operators are! All carriers make money on overage, though. Doesn’t make it right, especially without warning, but it’s not without precedent.
Not sure how the Skype for Asterisk plans will work, but people are running Skype on Asterisk already. In order to get 10,000 hours, you’d have to talk a little over 5 hours a day for 30 days straight. Can’t go much over that or you hit the daily limit. Not to mention the 50 different # limit.
Comment by TJ Stamm
The problem is that everyone does that. I think to consumers it is expected. If I am using anywhere close to the limits I know that I am abusing the system. ISP’s offer unlimited bandwidth, but you start pushing 20GB+ a day you are going to get some attention. The word unlimited should be replaced with realistic.
Comment by PhoneBoy
The word realistic is also open to interpretation. The word unlimited and words like it should not be permitted in advertising when, in fact, limits do exist.