Skype operation returning to normal
London: Skype on Friday said its services were returning to normal after the internet communications group experienced its biggest global outage in three years.
Tony Bates, Skype's chief executive, told customers via a blog and accompanying video that the engineers had identified the problem and stabilised the core instant messenger, audio and video services, which were running at about "90-plus per cent of what we'd typically see from a user load on a day like today".
Bates said the outage, which hit during a peak period for the online calls service on Wednesday, was caused by a "software issue" and not by a malicious attack.
Millions of people rely on Skype for calls to friends and family overseas over Christmas because it is cheaper than using landline and mobile networks. Skype provides free calls between users of its service, charging for outbound and inbound calls between landlines or mobile phones.
Bates apologised for the problems and promised Skype users calling credit vouchers as compensation. Pay as you go and pre-pay users are being offered a Skype voucher for 30 minutes of free calling to landlines anywhere in the world. Active subscribers are being offered a week's extra subscription service.
"It's been a tough 24 hours for many of you
London: Skype on Friday said its services were returning to normal after the internet communications group experienced its biggest global outage in three years.
Tony Bates, Skype's chief executive, told customers via a blog and accompanying video that the engineers had identified the problem and stabilised the core instant messenger, audio and video services, which were running at about "90-plus per cent of what we'd typically see from a user load on a day like today".
Bates said the outage, which hit during a peak period for the online calls service on Wednesday, was caused by a "software issue" and not by a malicious attack.
Millions of people rely on Skype for calls to friends and family overseas over Christmas because it is cheaper than using landline and mobile networks. Skype provides free calls between users of its service, charging for outbound and inbound calls between landlines or mobile phones.
Bates apologised for the problems and promised Skype users calling credit vouchers as compensation. Pay as you go and pre-pay users are being offered a Skype voucher for 30 minutes of free calling to landlines anywhere in the world. Active subscribers are being offered a week's extra subscription service.
"It's been a tough 24 hours for many of you