This guy has a point on if the service is any cheaper than GSM since both parties will be paying for the data, and if one parties data runs out the call disconnects, if one parties data runs out and they have credit then they use off plan data which is more expensive so you find whatsapp can be expensive in some cases
Rink---http://tommakau.com/2015/04/01/what-whatsapp-voice-means-for-mnos/

This will be counter productive. No need fighting an idea whose time has come. If I was a telco, I would come up with enticing data plans. Remember who banks tried to frustrate MPesa when it started? Who is laughing now?

http://tommakau.com/2015...p-voice-means-for-mnos/
Read this before you decide if it's cheaper or expensive.

That story is flawed from the start. The fellow has used wrong data to "prove" a point. A three to four minute call (I have checked thrice!!!) consumes approx. 1 MB (on the higher side). A 7 minute call would therefore consume approx. 2 MB. This fellow uses 5 MB (More than double!) in his argument and totally skews everything.

How do you write a blog and you cannot even perform a simple experiment to collect primary data. You can even borrow a phone, check the bundles, make a call then check the call duration and bundles again. End of experiment!! The whole story is based on bundles and cost and the fellow cannot collect the easiest data ever to collect. Lazy character!!!!

@chris79 - If you talk to me for a minute, it will consume only 0.3 MB of your data. That is 30 cents on a relatively expensive data bundle. How cheap do you think people are? 30 cents!!!

Are we talking about the Kenya who keep sending each other pictures and videos on WhatsApp that gobble MBs at a much much higher rate???

Skype happens to be more focused on International calls. Unless you consume such services I don't think you'll find their product targeted towards you. Perhaps this is attenuated by its lack of traction in developing markets such as Kenya. I think they are trying to reach the same audience as WhatsApp via their 'Qik Messenger' buyout. I hope that reframes your thoughts not the company.

For the short-term I would not worry too much about WhatsApp eroding voice revenues for local carriers. I see this service as a Value addition for WhatsApp to differentiate itself from competitors as a one-size fits all tool. Perhaps something to get users excited about. On the local front, existing infrastructure and data costs shouldn't make the cellular market shift their habits immediately.
I base this on the following. One, a majority of Kenyans do not have smartphones. Two, data costs are pretty expensive for the larger smartphone using population. Most Kenyans primarily use Safaricom and their data would be pretty expensive for data calls. Maybe airtel users may adopt the service quicker. Three, this product is targeted at smartphone users. However, most handsets have limited battery life. Most users simply will not let their 3G or 4G settings remain on for the purposes of receiving a call, at cost, when the same can be achieved more efficiently through traditional means. Four, not everyone uses WhatsApp despite its widespread adoption here. Five, 3G coverage in the country.

With improved battery technology, carrier infrastructure and increased adoption, perhaps these points may be moot in future.

I'm open to criticism or thoughts on the same.

This makes sense call charges are applied to both the caller and the receiver.in terms of mb's

fiber and telco guys should lower prices. fast unlimited internet way to go

But receiving the images, videos and text also consume data.

Data prices and availability will definitely come down with time, I don't think voice prices will match the same.