One hundred billion reasons to call this a milestone

Apparently, 100 billion humans have walked on this planet through the ages. But don’t quote me on that. (Although I’m sure these guys will know.)

Apparently, the human brain has about 100 billion neurons. But don’t quote me on that. (Although I’m sure if you leaf through The Scientific American Book of the Brain, you’ll find out for certain.)

Apparently, Dr. Evil decided to hold the world ransom for 100 billion dollars. Though he later lost his wits and upgraded his demand to one billion, gagillion, fafillion, shabolubalu million illion yillion… yen. Still, don’t quote me on that. (Instead, get these guys to back it up.)

And now, Skype has served 100 billion minutes worth of Skype-to-Skype calls. Please, do quote me on that.

This figure is so mind-numbingly large that it’s nigh impossible to wrap my head around it. (Even if attempted, the exercise would likely result in a headache of cosmic proportions that no amount of pickle juice can possibly cure.)

But consider this:

Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls are free
Skype’s been around for about 4.5 years
As of the end of 2007, Skype had 276m registered users, adding 30 million in Q4 alone

When mixed together, this cocktail gets explosive. And it becomes obvious that at 100bn minutes, Skype conversations are really getting out of hand. In a good way.

Thanks for getting us where we are, folks. And keep talking. Next stop: one billion, gagillion, fafillion, shabolubalu million illion yillion Skype-to-Skype minutes.

Comments

I would like to know if I can buy 3skype phone in the UK, and have it work in the usa??? does anyone know???

It depends if the phone has dual voltages. In the US 120v is the dominant voltage.. Also we run at 60hz. If past memory is intact, the UK runs on 208v, 50hz. I would think that the telephone lines themselves are compatable.

If you can't get a better answer if no one else replies) you can send me a phone and I'll test it out for you...

Jeff

Well, I'm willing to give this a go. I have already passed the free phone call test.
I must only get one, because I couldn't get one this time, the last one was some time ago, aand i didn't have enough spare money to get credit to make skype phone calls. But now is a different story, so I am going to have a go.
I don't really want to download it again, but I can't get the padlock to open so I can get credit.
I will have another try though, it sounds worth it.

Phones work the same way in the USA as they do in the UK. The ringing signal is about 105 to 150 volts and as soon as you 'lift' the handset the voltage drops to about 5 volts. The DTMF tones (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) that tells the exchange which number you are pressing is the same too. The only difference is the plug that fits in the phone outlet. The UK is standardised on the BT jack with the spring loaded plastic tab to stop it falling out if you pull on the cord. The American one is different, but you should be able to take your UK phone , go to a Radio Shack store in the USA and buy a USA plug to fit the local phone socket. You will need to wire it yourself of course.

First, the technical issue: The 3 Skypephone will only work on the 1900 MHz GSM band in North America. See http://skypejournal.com/blog/2006/11/gsm_850_mhz_band_not_to_be_ove.html. It does not support the 850 MHz band so there will be significant coverage holes.

Second, the phone is locked to the 3 service, so, if it did work you would be tied to roaming charges back to 3. (And I am not sure whether it would work in a roaming mode.)

What we really need in North America is a rebel GSM network who needs to make market penetration with a unique offering at a price point of the 3 service. And T-Mobile is the only viable candidate at the moment (since AT&T is tied up with Apple). (And a Skypehone that supports both 1900 MHz and 850 MHz bands.)

Is it possible to use a mobile Skype3 phone when traveling in Europe and North Africa and are there any hidden charges or extras charged by 3?
Also, what is the quality of the calls like?
Last, Skype to Skype calls are free and they have set rates for other calls, but are there additional charges from 3 on top of these costs whilst in the UK?

Vista and Skype? Something has changed since Feruary update and I can no longer get Sound when I am trying to mak a call. Does any one has the same problem. I am in USA. Thank you

Skype & Pervasiveness? Go-Baby-Go. Make sure it stays free forever...at least the skype-to-skype model. Lets hope microsoft & the giant telcos can be persuaded to leave skype alone to growth, share, care and free. Willing to offer some free minutes to help make sure it stay free.

i am in the usa.. if i have the 3 skype phone sent over from the uk, can i still call people skype to skpye for free while i am in the usa or will the network not allow it?

Has anyone received any notice from customer service 3 about winning a skype lottery? It says you have to fly to London or pay a courier to bring the check to you. If it's legit and I lived in London that would be great, but I'm in Alaska.

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One hundred billion reasons to call this a milestone

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