Following frings 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, 12 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. Skypes anti-competitive ambush comes in the wake of frings mobile video calling on iPhone 4 launch, which continues to set the standard in rich mobile internet communication.
Since its foundation in 2006, frings rich mobile communications have been available to both fring users and open 3rd party 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 users 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, frings Co-Founder and CEO We apologize to our users for the impact of Skypes 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 frings innovation, clarity, honesty and openness.
frings newest version is now available for download from frings website here and from appstores.
Let freedom fring!
