"Larry" <noone@home.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9A8A6893356Enoonehomecom@208.49.80.253...

> Skype prices to SHARED EXPENSE mobile phones reflects the SHARED EXPENSE,
> just like any other service I know of. If you find a VoIP where the
> provider pays your half of the mobile phone per minute rate, I'd be very
> interested in it.

That's not the point- the point is that Skype charges more than other
providers for those calls- for example, Skype charges $0.25 for calls to UK
mobiles, while Onesuite charges $0.17 and Rebtel gets $0.18.

Regardless of the fact that the billing system is different for foreign
mobiles, Skype is charging significantly more for the same calls than other
providers. (Probably robbing Peter to pay Paul, considering Skype's
excellent domestic rates.)


> Most countries have a ponzy scam setup where they charge both the caller
> and called party double to call mobile phones. This isn't Skype's fault.

Actually most countries have a "caller pays" scheme where the caller pays
for the call, and the recipient pays nothing.

And, frankly, it's besides the point who's "fault" the system is. Again,
all other providers are bound by the same system, but Skype charges 40% or
more above the other guys. You said it yourself back when you were using
Mobivox- Mobi's int'l rates were usually better than Skype's.

> It's still a helluva deal if you compare it to any Sellphone expenses.

Which would be an excellent point were Skype a cellco. It's a lousy deal
compared to other VoIP providers, which is what Skype is.

That's the old "Vonage" argument- Vonage is the most overpriced VoIP
provider for domestic calling, but they compare themselves to landline
telcos to pretend they're a "bargain."