Skype glitch highlights competition

LUXEMBOURG, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A glitch that left millions of Skype users without phone service highlights the risk of relying on a single-service Internet provider, it was reported.

A deficient algorithm within Skype’s software shut down the Internet-based telephone and message service for more than 24 hours, leaving many of Skype’s 220 million users without service until Friday, London’s Financial Times reported Saturday. Skype has its headquarters in Luxembourg and is owned by eBay, the online auction company.

Industry analysts cautioned users, particularly businesses, from relying on a single service provider, especially one using relatively untested voice over Internet protocol -- VoIP -- technology.

The outage, combined with legal problems faced by Vonage, a leading VoIP provider, and the collapse of SunRocket, another Internet telephone company, could encourage users to return to more traditional telephone carriers, the Times reported.

"Skype will need to work hard to make this outage event a one-off," said Mark Main, a European telecommunications consultant with the firm Ovum. "There is plenty of choice."