Today, I will be responding to the question of the week: "What social & economic forces shape the communication infrastructure," and the case study I will present is over Skype. Skype is a computer program that transforms a computer into a telephone using VoIP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol). Utilizing the transmittal of voices over the Internet, Skype converts voice signals into data, sends it over the Internet from the host computer, and then restores the audio on the receiving computer. As an innovative VoIP technology, Skype produces quality services that are influential in the telecommunication industry. Some of the most popular Skype features are calling landlines/mobile phones, video calling, instant messaging and SMS text messaging. Each feature offers users a different way to communication over computers, mobile phones or Skype-ready TVs. With its increasing popularity, Skype has become more prominent in the classroom and business world. This expands the possibilities of how we use Skype in the future.
My main argument is how Skype shapes communication infrastructure through the services it provides. Skype is shaping communication socially by connecting users with each other, regardless of location and technology format, extending relations all over the world. Skype is also shaping communication economically by providing costumers with a free or very inexpensive way to communicate. In a world where people want things fast and free, Skype is helping set the standard for communication and Voice-over Internet Protocol.
For a better understanding of what Skype is, I recommend watching this short YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mflr-kQlk
1 comment:
I presented my case study on Skype on Thursday morning. My presentation focused on how Skype is an innovative VoIP technology that produces quality services that continue to be influential in the telecommunication industry. Answering the question of the week, I believe Skype shapes the communication infrastructure socially by connecting users with each other, regardless of location and technology format, and economically by providing costumers with a free or very inexpensive way to communicate. As Americans we want things fast and free, and I believe that Skype has encompassed those qualities into their product. Skype gives users a unique communication experience, and is challenging traditional forms of telecommunication, such as landline telephones. Because Skype is so inexpensive and innovative, I suspect that in the future telephone companies will have to lower costs and come up with new products/services (such as video phone chatting) in order to compete with Skype.
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