An investigation into Skype Technologies S.A.

Table of Contents

Chapter I: Introduction

1.1 Skype – nature of study

1.2 Hypothesis

1.3 Aims and Objectives

1.4 Limitations to the study

Chapter II: Literature Review

2.1 VoIP – the technology

2.2 The future of VoIP

2.3 Skype – the technology

2.4 Characteristics of Skype’s technology

2.5 The future of Skype

Chapter III: Methodology

3.1 Case Study Approach

3.2 Key Concepts

3.2.1 Validity and Reliability

3.2.2 Triangulation

3.2.3 Generalisability

3.3 Research Families/ Research Techniques

3.3.1 Primary data

3.3.1.1 Interviews

3.3.1.2 Questionnaires

3.3.2 Secondary data

3.4 Analytical tools

Chapter IV: Findings

4.1 Structure of the findings and the conclusion

4.2 Evaluation of the primary data sources

4.2.1 Questionnaire directed to private persons

4.2.2 Questionnaire directed to IT experts

4.2.3 Interviews with IT professionals

4.3 Tariff comparison of SkypeOut v. German Telekom

4.4 Skype’s Vision, Mission and competitive strategies

4.5 Analysis of the future market opportunities of Skype

4.5.1 SWOT

4.5.1.1 Strengths

4.5.1.2 Weaknesses

4.5.1.3 Opportunities

4.5.1.4 Threats

4.5.2 The Product-Market Growth Matrix by Igor Ansoff

4.5.2.1 Market Penetration

4.5.2.2 Product Development

Chapter V: Conclusion

5.1 VoIP’s future in Germany

5.2 Skype’s future in Germany

5.3. Final conclusion

Chapter VI : Recommendations & further investigation

6.1. Recommendations to Skype

6.2. Further investigation

Chapter VIII : Appendix

7.1 Bibliography

7.2 Ethical issues

7.3 Form: Questionnaire directed to private people

7.4 Form: Questionnaire directed to VoIP specialists

7.5 Framework of the interviews

7.6 Abbreviations, technical terms and definitions

7.7 Skype - history & facts

7.8 Declining German Telekom

Research Goals and Key Themes

The research examines the future of VoIP, specifically focusing on Skype's role and potential impact on the German telecommunications market. It aims to determine whether Skype will maintain its growth and influence conventional telephone operators like Deutsche Telekom.

• Technology and advantages of VoIP
• Evaluation of Skype's specific peer-to-peer technology
• Economic impact of Skype on traditional telecommunications
• Strategic analysis using SWOT and Ansoff's Growth Matrix
• Comparative analysis of tariff structures

Book Excerpt

Summary of Chapters

Chapter I: Introduction: Outlines the research scope, the hypothesis that VoIP represents the future of telecommunications, and the study's limitations.

Chapter II: Literature Review: Details the technical background of VoIP, the specific peer-to-peer architecture used by Skype, and projections for the technology.

Chapter III: Methodology: Explains the case study approach, the use of primary data through interviews and questionnaires, and the analytical tools applied.

Chapter IV: Findings: Presents the primary research outcomes, tariff comparisons against Deutsche Telekom, and strategic SWOT/Ansoff analyses.

Chapter V: Conclusion: Synthesizes research findings, confirming VoIP's importance while highlighting Skype's specific challenges regarding security and business-grade reliability.

Chapter VI : Recommendations & further investigation: Offers specific suggestions for Skype’s strategic development and suggests areas for future academic inquiry.

Keywords

VoIP, Skype, Telecommunications, Germany, Peer-to-Peer, P2P, Market Penetration, Strategy, SWOT, Ansoff, Deutsche Telekom, Broadband, IP Telephony, Communication Convergence, Softphone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this dissertation?

This work investigates the future of VoIP in the German market, specifically assessing Skype's role and its ability to disrupt or influence established telecommunications providers like Deutsche Telekom.

What key thematic areas are addressed?

The dissertation covers the underlying technology of VoIP, Skype's business strategy, its market penetration, cost advantages, and security considerations, contrasted against traditional telephony models.

What is the central research question?

The study asks what the future of Skype in Germany looks like and whether it possesses the capability to significantly impact the German telecommunications market.

What methodology was employed?

The author utilized a case study approach, combining qualitative insights from expert interviews with quantitative data gathered from self-administered questionnaires sent to both private users and IT professionals.

What is covered in the main body of the work?

The work moves from an introductory hypothesis to a technical and strategic literature review, followed by empirical findings based on primary data and a comparative analysis of tariff structures.

Which keywords best characterize this research?

The research is defined by terms such as VoIP, Skype, Peer-to-Peer, market strategy, telecommunications convergence, and the competitive dynamic between VoIP and traditional landlines.

How does Skype's peer-to-peer technology affect its market position?

The technology allows Skype to maintain low administration costs, facilitating "free" internal calling; however, it also results in a proprietary system that is currently difficult to integrate with standardized business infrastructure.

What specific competitive challenge does Deutsche Telekom pose?

Deutsche Telekom competes through "Triple Play" offerings (bundling DSL, VoIP, and TV), which creates a barrier for Skype because Skype typically relies on the user already having an independent internet connection.