BUSINESS
April 2, 2008 | From Times Wire Services
The Federal Communications Commission should reject a petition by EBay Inc.'s Skype division to require wireless operators to allow any device on their networks, the agency's chairman said. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin told an audience at the CTIA Wireless trade show in Las Vegas that the industry's recent push toward openness makes such a rule unnecessary. Skype provides free voice calls and videoconferencing over Internet connections.
BUSINESS
December 13, 2006 | From the Associated Press
Skype is introducing a $30 annual subscription to make unlimited calls with the Internet-based telephone service to any regular or mobile phone number within the United States and Canada. The new calling plan comes as Skype phases out a promotion launched in May allowing unlimited free calls in those two countries.
BUSINESS
December 1, 2005 | From Associated Press
Skype is upgrading its popular Internet telephone service to add video calling and a toolbar for Microsoft Outlook to find and dial contacts with a click. The long-promised 2.0 edition was launched today by Skype, which was acquired last month by EBay Inc. for $2.6 billion. Although the Windows download is available to any user, the application is a Beta version, meaning the company is still tweaking the software. Skype did not provide a timetable for the final edition.
BUSINESS
October 18, 2007 | Alex Pham, Times Staff Writer
EBay Inc. dialed up a steep third-quarter loss Wednesday, as the accounting effect of paying too much for the Skype Internet calling service offset strong growth in its core online payment and auction businesses. The $936 million in red ink was the San Jose company's second-ever loss. Earnings were dragged down by a $1.4-billion one-time charge to write down the value of its Skype acquisition and settle its remaining financial obligations to Skype shareholders.
BUSINESS
July 24, 2005 | David Colker, Times Staff Writer
Internet communications company Skype Technologies has gained a worldwide following over the last couple years for one major reason: free phone calls anywhere. Actually, they're computer-to-computer calls, via the Internet. All that's needed on each computer is a broadband connection, Skype's free software, a microphone and a speaker. The problem is that both people need to be at their machines at the time the call is made.
BUSINESS
October 17, 2007 | From Times Wire Reports
News Corp.'s MySpace social networking site and EBay Inc.'s Skype will offer MySpace members free Internet calling services, executives from the companies said, in a bid to expand their base of users while fending off competitors. Beginning in November, Skype's voice service will be folded into MySpace's existing instant messaging technology, enabling MySpace members to place free calls to other people on the MySpace and Skype networks.