[Asterisk-Users] Skype purchased by Ebay 2.6 Billion

[Nathan C. Smith]

What about speeding up the time it takes to have an auction?

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin Anderson [mailto:ColinA at landmarkmasterbuilder.com] 
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 1:06 PM
To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] Skype purchased by Ebay 2.6 Billion


While ostensibly people see this purchase as Ebay being a "me-too" VoIP
player with GoogleTalk and Microsoft buying, what's it called, Teleo? , I
think there's a deeper plan. Let's look at the numbers:

-Huge installed base, like 30 to 70 million users (those are the numbers I
hear kicked around) -Secure, encrypted P2P client that works great through
firewalls -Name brand recognition. Even my mother in law has heard of Skype
and she is a techno-illiterate. -Installed base loyalty. People who use
Skype, love it. 
-Oh yeah, it does voice, too. (sarcasm on purpose: voice is only partially
the point)

So what Ebay could do with this is use the Skype client as an Ebay portal
that they control. Why, do you ask, would they want to do this? Several
reasons:

-Break away from browsers with security flaws and inherent
social-engineering tactics like phishing. Nobody controls the WWW. Ebay now
controls the Skype network, controls the encryption, everything. Less fraud
for Ebay to deal with, assuming they repackage the client into "Ebay 2.0 -
download now for free!"

-Paypal integration - back to voice, wouldn't it be nice to pay for your
phone bill (a Skype account -> regular PSTN) through PayPal? 

-Repositioning of Ebay as an online solution provider once the "Ebay Way" is
fleshed out, much as Google has moved beyond search into "holy crap" stuff
like video on demand, mapping, etc. In the end, isn't it a good business
plan to become an indispensable, comprehensive middleman instead of a one
trick pony? Voice is just one aspect of it. 

-30-70 million users ain't bad. They may be Ebayers - they may not. However,
this gives Ebay a huge "installed base" that they can play with before they
bring new products and services to the general market.  Skype users are
crazy about Skype, and they will download any client that Ebay shoves down
their throat, as long as it's free. Later, once the service is worked out
and debugged, *then* they will do micropayments for the service (via PayPal,
of course) 

still, 2.6 bil is a crazy price and I agree that they paid too much. I would
have loved to be a fly on the wall and see the other offers and who was in
the running. The Skype guys have made no secret that the whole reason that
they created Skype in the first place was to make money and to be bought
out. I'm sure there is champagne and hookers galore at the Skype offices
today. 



-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Collins [mailto:Dean at collins.net.pr]
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 11:27 AM
To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] Skype purchased by Ebay 2.6 Billion


This is the most insane decision taken by eBay ever.

If I was an investor I would be devastated.

There is nothing wrong with a company starting up a voice over ip service
but this isn't what eBay should be doing.

Companies need to understand they are stewards for their investors money not
the ultimate owners and that if they cant deliver ROI on this money then it
is their duty to return the money via dividends or share buy backs.

eBay is insane and this is the beginning of the end for them.


Cheers,
Dean




> -----Original Message-----
> From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users- 
> bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Cory Andrews
> Sent: Monday, 12 September 2005 1:08 PM
> To: Asterisk Users Mailing List - Non-Commercial Discussion
> Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Skype purchased by Ebay 2.6 Billion
> 
> Good news for service providers in my opinion, Ebay will likely start 
> alienating Skype users like they did with Paypal users. 
> "SkypeSucks.com" domain already taken, shucks....
> 
> http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=3837895
> 
> --
> Cory J Andrews
> Partner / Purchasing
> +++++++++++++++
> VOIPSupply.com - Everything you need for VOIP
> 454 Sonwil Drive
> Buffalo, NY 14225
> +++++++++++++++
> tf voice - 800-398-VOIP X22
> l voice - 716.630.1555 X22
> f - 716.630.1548
> e - Cory at VOIPSupply.com
> AIM - b2Cory
> 
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