When Fring recently updated its app to allow face-to-face video calling, it was quickly noticed that Skype compatibility was missing. Fring quickly released a statement, saying this was only a temporary measure, to free up some bandwidth for their own service, and that Skype would be re-connected soon.
However, in a just sent press release, Fring is now saying that Skype has refused to allow them to restore connectivity, and has threatened legal action.
Sorry folks, it looks like you won’t be able to use Fring to talk to Skype friends. Fring are understandably upset, and have called Skype cowards, bullies, and are branding the move an ambush.
“We are disappointed that Skype, who once championed the cause of openness, is now attempting to muzzle competition, even to the detriment of its own users” said Avi Shechter, fring’s Co-Founder and CEO “We apologize to our users for the impact of Skype’s bullying and we will be happy to reconnect with Skype once Skype reverses their decision.” Avi continued, “We believe in communication openness and know that users will continue to vote with their mobile phones – opting for fring’s innovation, clarity, honesty and openness”.
That said, before making any major judgements on the matter, lets see what Skype has to say about themselves. It’ll be interesting to hear the other side to this story.
Full press release follows:
Following fring’s string of mobile video calling wins – Skype blocks fring
Skype – former crusader for open communications – bans competition after fring trail-blazes mobile communication innovation
London, United Kingdom, 13 July 2010. fring, the multi-award winning mobile over internet communication service, today announces that it is being forced to stop its 4 years of Skype interconnectivity following threat of legal action. Skype’s anti-competitive ambush comes in the wake of fring’s mobile video calling on iPhone 4 launch, which continues to set the standard in rich mobile internet communication.
Since its foundation in 2006, fring’s rich mobile communications have been available to both fring users and open 3rdparty networks including GoogleTalk, SIP, Twitter and, until now, Skype. However, despite fring expanding its network capacity over the last days to serve its enlarged user base, Skype is refusing to allow fring to restore connectivity to Skype. Accordingly, fringsters will no longer be able to communicate with their Skype friends the way they want, but can invite their Skype friends to join fring and enjoy unrestricted mobile video calling from any mobile phone, chat and voice services without restriction to a user’s mobile operator and the freedom to choose internet connectivity (3G/4G/WiFi).
“We are disappointed that Skype, who once championed the cause of openness, is now attempting to muzzle competition, even to the detriment of its own users” said Avi Shechter, fring’s Co-Founder and CEO “We apologize to our users for the impact of Skype’s bullying and we will be happy to reconnect with Skype once Skype reverses their decision.” Avi continued, “We believe in communication openness and know that users will continue to vote with their mobile phones – opting for fring’s innovation, clarity, honesty and openness”.
fring’s newest version is now available for download from fring’s website here and from appstores.
Let freedom fring!
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We didn’t block Fring. See more in a blog post on the subject on our website.
Thank you for linking to that Peter, we’ve added an article citing your side of the story.
Starting to sound like someone else we all know…apple who? haha