Skype Offers Its Support to the Japanese People

Article by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 15 Mar 2011

As I am sure you already know, Japan has been hit by a devastating earthquakel; and several powerful aftershocks; and a tsunami; and I also hear a nuclear power plant exploded. It is a big tragedy which the media has been covering intensely.

At a time like this, being able to communicate with others is very important – vital even. Skype is well aware of this fact and has decided to show its support. Shin Iwata, Country Manager for Skype in Japan, announced that Skype will offer free WiFi internet access and give out free Skype Credit.

Free WiFi until Saturday
Free WiFi at hotspots throughout Japan will be provided via Skype Access until the 19th of March. This means that users with the latest Skype version can use Skype Access to connect to the internet. A list of compatible hotspots, complete wit WEP/WPA keys is available on this help page.

Free Skype Credit
A ¥80 Skype Credit voucher is offered by Skype to all its Japanese customers. This credit should be enough to make a 25 minutes call to a landline phone in Japan. Of course, the credit can be used to make phone calls to other countries; a detailed list of Skype’s calling rates is available here. The credit can also be used to send text message from Skype. Please note that the vouchers expire on the 17th of April. Shin Iwata explained that they will be issued via email in the next few days.

Thankfully for Skype, none of its employees have been harmed by the recent events in Japan. “We're fortunate to be able to report that all of our Japan-based employees and their families are safe, and we're also incredibly fortunate to be among the providers of technology which help people stay in touch during times of need, even when other means aren't available,” said Shin Iwata.


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