Rafe takes a very contrarian view on Skype in his Always On column.
I too question how they will make money long term. I mean, has ICQ paid back AOL? No. Only the original investors and founders cashed out.
The claim about services by Skype’s folks sounds good, but I see more use for Skype in China to subvert the leadership and in other countries where broadband is in place as a way to talk to others outside the country’s barriers. If Skype can get past the firewalls so the phone rings, maybe freedom too can ring, and not just for the phone calls.