Thought I’d share this announcement from Skype on what they are doing for Japan. This should be really welcome since mobile communications seems to be one of the hardest hit this time. Even till now, I’m having a hard time trying to get in touch with my friends in Japan. Do pray for Japan.
Over the last few days, we’ve been watching and listening to reports from around the world about the ways people are using Skype to communicate during this time of crisis 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.
Our hearts go out to all of those of you who have been affected by this disaster, and we’re taking two steps to help people across Japan communicate:
o Providing free WiFi at hotspots throughout Japan with Skype Access*. With Skype Access, you can connect to the Internet using Skype, and this will be free in Japan until 19th March (here’s a list of compatible hotspots including WEP/WPA keys if required).
o Providing all of our Japanese customers with a ¥80 Skype Credit voucher**, worth a call of more than 25 minutes to a landline phone in Japan (and to some other countries such as China and the USA) or to send text messages directly from Skype. Vouchers will be issued by email in the next few days.
If you’re in Japan, we encouraging you to participate in the Red Cross family reunification programme if you have any information which could help connect missing people. If you are outside of Japan and would like to help the relief effort in other ways, please visit the Japanese Red Cross or the International Red Cross for more information or donate directly.
* Connection to a Skype Access-compatible hotspot requires the latest version of Skype. Offer will be valid until March 19, 2011 GMT.
**¥80 voucher expires April 17, 2011. The actual number of minutes you can redeem with this offer may vary based on calling destinations. A connection fee may apply. Our global calling rates can be found here.




