Skype adds connection fee *rant*

This is mostly a rant. The following is the link that caused it. http://about.skype.com/2007/01/skype_takes_internet_communica.html#more

Now that I'm in US, and JY and my parents are in Singapore. I found that skype was a good way to call back to home. Skype was a relatively cheap and convinent way to call home. They also had good call quality and was glad to be using it. I even consider buying a phone to use Skype away from the computer.

*Flashback to end December*
I saw an announcement on Skype's homepage.

On January 18th, 2007 (13:00 CET) we will announce an innovative and disruptive pricing structure to give Skype users even more exciting and cost effective ways to keep in touch.

Our new pricing plan includes a connection fee for all SkypeOut calls ranging from $0.00 to $0.039 (excluding VAT).

I read the forums, and realised that "disruptive" was suppose to be good for customers. I wondered, "how could adding a connection fee be anything but bad news". Guess I just had to wait a few weeks to see their plan.

*Back to reality*
They finally annouced their new plans and price changes. Firstly, I need to say that I only use Skype for calling from US back to Singapore. So, looking at the "disruptive" changes that affected me, I found only 1 thing. I now have to pay an connection fee of 3.9 cents for every call that I made. For me, there was no reduced calling rate or any benefits what so ever. Looking at the forums, seems like everyone was complaining about it. Have yet to find anyone saying, wow, this new changes really benefits me.

Is the increase big? No, its only 3 cents per call. Will Skype lose me as a customer? Yes. Will Skype miss my business? Hardly. I spend very little every month.

Guess after all that rant, I won't be adding more skype credits. I found a few alternatives in the past and this gives me a change to try them out. But overall, the following were things that left a bad after-taste.

• Skype made a big annoucement saying that the coming change is going to benefit skype users, when in fact, it mostly benefited Skype
• They didn't put the new connection charge on the main page. Even when I click on rates, they was no mention of a connection fee. Only after digging deep into the forums, did I find it.
• Their new changes mostly benefited people who made calls within their own country. HOWEVER, this changes will not take place yet. Only the connection charge will take place with immediate effect. The benefits will come later, at a yet undecided date.
• If I wanted to make calls within my own country, they are 101 ways currently. Mostly quite cheap. Why would I need SKype?