Microsoft’s popular Internet based voice calling service Skype is planning to roll-out India specific version of Skype. The application specifically aims to deliver keeping India’s low speed 2G and 3G mobile network in mind. Skype also wants to target country’s popular budget smartphone segment by introducing tailor made app which runs efficiently on resource constrained, low processor speed devices.
Skype app for India
The revamped Skype application is outcome of a research conducted by a team at Skype which tested different voice and video-over-internet apps on Indian networks, and has found its competitors like Viber were providing better service.
Talking about the next version of Skype in India, Microsoft’s spokesperson Filipp Seljano told,
India’s 2G and 3G network, as well as the mix of phones in use, poses very specific challenges for us. The new application will be much lighter than the one now available, and will require far less computation resources and memory
Microsoft’s Skype believes that India is the most important future market. Skype also thinks that the application can penetrate to reach wider audience who are present on low-end Windows-powered Nokia Lumia models like Lumia 435.
Microsoft said it is actively working with Indian government on concerns like voice-over-internet traffic for organised crime and terrorism. Skype also reiterated that it would not cooperate with governments seeking data to crush legitimate dissent and for political reasons.
The Internet based voice-calling market is getting crowded in India with apps like Viber, WhatsApp and Hike offering voice calls for free. The initiative by Microsoft to tweak their Skype app specifically for India comes at the right time to take on its competitors.
