New Delhi, October 7 – Microsoft’s Skype has announced that from November 10 it would stop calls from Skype to cellular or landline numbers in India. The calls between Skype to Skype users, using internet connection, would continue to work normally.
The move comes in the wake of TRAI’s intention to roll out a consultation paper for setting up a regulatory framework for OTT (over the top) players. Currently, TRAI regulates telecom operators in India.
In the grand scheme of things, this is a minor issue, as Skype calls are largely used for making international calls. Microsoft has clarified that phone calls to other countries will be possible.
To make amends with the Skype subscribers that were using the service to make calls to landline and cellular numbers, Microsoft is offering free one-month subscription that can be used to make calls abroad.
This service is active in 8 countries for mobile calls and in over 60 countries for landline calls. To redeem the offer one should head over to the Skype blog. Microsoft has also detailed instructions for cancelling subscriptions on the Skype blog post.
Commenting on the development, GreyHound Research’s Sanchit Gogia said, “Greyhound Research believes that it was expected given TRAI’s intention to roll out a consultation paper for setting up a regulatory framework for OTT players.
Though the decision doesn’t seem to impact the Indian Skype users in a major way as Microsoft has added that apart from call barring there will be no other changes in the Skype application and users can still avail the free Skype to Skype chat service.”
“The telecom players in the country have long been complaining about OTT players like WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat, Skype eating up a significant chunk of their revenue and will be welcoming this decision of US based giant, ” he added.
-INDIA TODAY
