Leading VoIP service Skype is still trying to restore full service after a software problem took down Skype’s “supernodes,” which are responsible for routing voice, video, and instant messages calls between users. The problem left millions of people unable to connect, and Skype says it is working hard to restore service, and many customers who experienced problems during the outage should be able to connect now. And Skype chief Tony Bates is going a step further, saying in a blog post the company plans to issue compensation vouchers to paying customers impacted by the outage.
“It’s been a tough 24 hours for many of you—and I’d like to thank you for your patience as we bring Skype back to normal,” Bates wrote. “I realize that it’s difficult to compensate you for not being able to talk to or see your friends, family, or colleagues, but we’re planning to offer Skype Credit vouchers to all of our loyal paying customers to thank you for your continued support.”
Compensation detailed so far will take the form of Skype Credit Vouchers sent to Pay As You Go and Pre-Pay customers via email. The vouchers will be good for about 30 minutes of free calling to landline phones anywhere in the world. (The exact amount of time covered by the voucher will depend on rates to a particular destination.) Active subscribers will receive a free one-week extension on their subscription within the next few days.
As of late December 23rd, Skype claims to be operating at 90 percent of normal capacity.
I had skype on my bberry
How about making skype available for blackberry’s Geez like…
I LOVE SKYPE
It is free and brings people together!
We love SKYPE!
It is never a good idea to make any upgrades in December. Yet I see why companies do it, indivduals want to implement the project before year end so they can show it as an accomplishment during their annual review. Geeeesh, going forward don't "F" with Christmas/Hanakuk. NO CHANGES in DECEMBER. I am a paying customer as well as an avid Skype to Skype Customer. I'll never forget the HUGE Fiasco when they could not properly proccess payments and were cutting off customers and not allowing them to buy minutes. Thankfully THAT is over, but now this. Ya know Skype you need beer roll out plans, with back up plans to roll it back.
My wife and I are together because of Skype. We had a several year long distance relationship and being able to talk to each other everyday helped us make it though without breaking the bank in long distance call charges. Today our children talk to their grandparents all the time over skype. It's cheap, fairly good quality and has been a lifesaver for us. Keep up the good work Skype. It's rare to see a company doing so much good for so many people.
Thank you skype.. Now all the big shot complainers please switch to another service. Take your great judgement and wisdom elsewhere. All reasonable people recognize what we have here and were grateful for it.
In the age of unbridled greed skype offers communication to millions in the world for free or pennies a minute.
I use it often and it is reliable.. I will not allow this hiccup in service to change my mind.
Shame on those naughty Skype electrons that chose Christmas to misbehave. Just a few years back it cost me $93 to contact relatives in Kenya at Christmas time … and my tribe hung up before I, the bill payer, even got to talk. But now, my contacts around the world maxes out Christmas cheer. Thanks Skype
Rubemuch, your are right, I am very spoiled, I go to work and earn my money. If the customers of the company I work for do not receive the level of service they purchased, then their loyalty and continued patronage are at risk.
Now that you have straightened me out on this matter, the next time my company falls short of meeting their obligations with our customers and the customer complains, I will inform the customer of their 'spoiled' nature and immediately accuse them of not wanting to help others.
In my new enlightened state, I think Skype needs to take the rest of the year off and not worry about getting the service back up. As a matter of fact, I think I am going to start donating money to them above and beyond my purchased services just because of this incident.
Rube, your wisdom and discernment has profoundly changed this spoiled man's life, THANKS!!
I am a supporter of Skype and I will continue to do so in the years ahead. The company offers an outstanding product!!!. The company has saved me thousands of AUD Dollars over the past 3 yrs that I have been with them. THe other TELCOS should follow SKYPE'S example. I will continue to support and subscribe to SKYPE>
I agree Skype is a pretty reliable service and they have and are doing all that they can to make things right. Haters stop complaining. Where in the hell will you find great service for less than 3.00 bucks a month?
I wish my TV cable company (Comxxxt) offered such client friendly responsive acts when their service goes down.
Skype should be named the invention of the century to serve mankind freeing the world from the telecom bloodsuckers, especially for the developing world. Skype is the Oxygen of the Internet.
I give Skype my money and as such don't give them a 'break'. Even though they are the budget choice when it comes to long distance/international calling, I still expect the service to be reliable and consistent. I hope Skype uses this experience to better the service and fix other weird anomalies they have.
It's easy to complain about a service when it does, let's be honest RARELY fail. The situation wasn't brought about deliberately by some malevolant Skype executive. Things happen. And they're doing their best to maintain what is after all, a commercial service. It's in their interest to have happy customers, after all. Give them a break!
Wow how very spoiled.. This is the attitude that keeps people from wanting to help others. I am glad there are more positive comments on this pay
Omgosh this was meant for Walter!!