FCC Endorses Skype Via Twitter

Tweet

Recently, the American FCC announced that it wanted to fight “Bill Shock” – that’s when you open up your mobile phone bill and instead of seeing the $100 you expected, it’s $5,000. They just Tweeted, recommending that Americans traveling overseas use Skype on their mobile phones, instead of costly international roaming fees.

The offending Tweet said the following:

Use VoIP, like @skype, to avoid excess international charges on your cell phone bill. #FCCworldtravel

What’s gotten some people offended is that a government agency is recommending a private business to citizens. Secondly, even though Skype is owned by American company eBay, it’s still based in Luxembourg and founded by some Swedes. Some are offended that the FCC was endorsing a non-American company.

The FCC just keeps making these ‘mistakes’ though. In the blog post linked from another Tweet, the FCC also recommends fring (an Israeli company) and Truphone (an English company). As there are a number of American VoIP companies (Vonage is one), they must be upset that they didn’t get a shout-out from the FCC.

While some are upset regarding the FCC’s business practices, others just feel the FCC is looking out for American consumers. And, Skype IS a good way to get cheap overseas calls, by the way.

What say you? Did the FCC overstep its bounds by endorsing non-American companies to American citizens? Do you care?