Skype CEO sees Middle East growth

Skype CEO sees Middle East growth

Internet calling service sees bright prospects despite being banned in a number of countries.

June 15, 2010 3:45 by Samuel Potter

Skype, the hugely popular internet calling service, sees growth opportunities in the Middle East despite a number of regional bans, reports Zawya.com.

It is also optimistic about its growth potential in Asia, says the report.

“There are a couple of governments that officially banned Skype…but what we see in most of the developing world (is that) they are embracing Skype,” Chief Executive Officer Josh Silverman told Dow Jones Newswires. “I would say we see growth in the Middle East in general.”

Skype cannot be downloaded in Oman, the UAE and Kuwait, although the software can be used if it is previously installed on a computer. The UAE Telecommunication Regulatory Authority said in March that Skype will be allowed to offer a greater range of services in the country if they are partnered with existing licensed telecom operators, says Zawya.

Skype has over 500 million registered users around the world and is adding 300,000 users a day. The company aspires to have 100 million personal computers shipped with Skype preloaded in 2011. Silverman declined to give growth projections by region, says the report.