Final thoughts on the 0207 problem
Skype introduced 0207-prefixed London SkypeIn numbers in 2005. Skype lost control of those numbers and in November 2007 advised SkypeIn subscribers they were going to lose those numbers. Some of the affected Londoners joined the "Refugees of UK Skype 0207 numbers (SkypeIn)" facebook group. They are wrapping up. Some of their observations:
- One month's notice is too little for most people, especially those who use Skype for work.
- Email notification is not strong enough. For a change this big and unexpected, postal mail is more likely to break through spam filters and get attention.
- The facebook group was useful for catharsis and problem solving
- One company, GCI, "spread incorrect rumors" and used "scare tactics" to win business from the Skype refugees, but the group fact checked and held GCI accountable
- Vopifone "went the extra mile to work with us to ensure the continuity of our numbers." They worked quickly, waived set up fees.
- Skype will have to earn the refugees' trust.
Comments
There was one major thing missing from the whole "0207 fiasco". Maybe I just didn't see it, but I don't think so. Was there ever a time when Skype management ever actually said "We're sorry, we really screwed up", either about the original decision to pull the numbers, or about the way they handled it and the subsequent problems? The only thing I ever saw was various people from Skype saying "It wasn't our fault" and "We didn't have any choice".
The first step in rebuilding trust should be an admission that a mistake was made, not a denial.
Posted by: J.A. Watson | January 15, 2008 06:29 AM
We hope you don’t mind us commenting, but we’re big fans of the blog & just wanted to highlight that we at Vonage also did all we could for those affected by the Skype move. If anyone still has any concerns about how to hang on to their 0207 numbers, they can call us at 0800 008 6000.
Posted by: Costas Kariolis | January 15, 2008 10:12 AM