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Wal-Mart Wises Up To Skype Gear |
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Written by Adam Gosling
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Tuesday, 15 May 2007 |
While Voice over IP
may still be in early adopter phase despite the large number of uses,
as we increasingly see developments like the announcement that US
retailer Wal-Mart will start stocking Certified Skype hardware just
serves to show the direction we can expect it to take.
While
mobile cell phones and pre-paid minutes are commonly available in
retail outlets such as Wal-Mart, the sort of momentum that buy-in from
organisations such as Wal-Mart might give to a VoIP serve like Skype
could be game changing.
One
of the big advantages peer to peer telephony solutions such as Skype or
the Instant Messaging equivalents like GoogleTalk, Microsoft
Live Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger is the ability to get free calls to
other people on the same network. While pure play VoIP providers also
offer the same free on-network calls,typically the small number of
users sort of reduces the value.
Skype
on the other hand is approaching two hundred million registered users
world wide. Today, 196 million users
are registered on the service with many using PC-based softphones to
make broadband-based phone calls. However in the past 12 to 18 month
we've seen the emergence and acceleration of Skype-certified hardware
make a significant impact in the market. Hardware devices and
accessories are available from
approximately 50 leading manufacturers, though often you have to go
looking for them if you want to buy them.
That
will change almost immediately, for American users at least. Consumers
can now go directly to the Internet and voice communications area of
1,800 Wal-Mart stores throughout the United States and check out
(pardon the pun) headsets, webcams and handsets all certified and
designed to work with Skype.
Up to nine different Skype Certified hardware products are available
within branded Skype Internet Communications sections inside the electronics department. Shoppers will find Skype certified
headsets under US$15, webcams under US$25 and handsets under US$30 from
manufacturers such as Plantronics, Philips and Logitech.
The relationship with Wal-Mart represents the first time a retailer is
bringing together Skype Certified hardware and pre-paid cards for Skype
under one dedicated section.
"Our research suggests that when users add a Skype Certified accessory
like a headset, handset or webcam, it greatly enhances their experience
and they use Skype more to connect with family, friends and business
colleagues," said Don Albert, vice president and general manager of Skype North America.
In addition to the hardware, Wal-Mart is the first and currently only retailer in the U.S. to offer Skype's
pre-paid cards. Shoppers can purchase a US$20 pre-paid card and redeem it
for Skype credit. Another pre-paid card is available in
stores for a three-month subscription to the Skype Unlimited Calling
Plan for just US$8.85.
www.skype.com/walmart
www.skype.com/prepaidcard
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