Asterisk and Skype: BFF!

Mark Spencer - CTO, DigiumeComm 2009-3-4

What is it?• chan_skype - like chan_sip, but

different

• Generic channel for Asterisk - no special programming required

• Supports Skype:• usernames• encryption• endpoints

Why is it useful?•First practical X-to-Skype gateway

•Huge connected userbase on Skype, huge connected userbase on Asterisk

•Removes “ugly hack” factor from Skype interactions

•Scales appropriately for business use

•Connects users to Skype minutes network

chan_skype Use Cases•Business call centers

•Single username for large numbers of inbound simultaneous calls

•Simple integration with existing Asterisk call queueing systems

•No cost for customers, low cost for business owners

chan_skype use cases

•Business PBX

•Use SkypeIn/SkypeOut minutes for low priced PSTN integration

•Create zero-cost inter-office communications, no routing required

•Full encryption for road warriors

Use Cases, Consumer•End customers

•Utilize SkypeIn/SkypeOut from any phone

•Maintain consistent reachability on Skype username at all times

•Creates interest in Skype as it becomes more ubiquitous on all devices

•Zero cost calling from any * device

State of the Beta

•Closed beta

•Started Jan 2009

•>100 but <1000 users in Beta

•Public Beta “real soon now”

•Few problems! So far so good.

Future

•Final changes

•Usernames will change!

•BCP use for all accounts

•Chat, video, etc. - your input needed for next revisions

Details•Dialing method:exten => 1234,1,Dial(Skype/austin_powers)

•Presence is supported

•AMI events are generated for Skype

presence/calls/etc.

Details

Variables available:skype_languages - A space-separated list of language identifiersskype_topic - User-generated topic

(i.e.: skype:austin_powers?call&topic=secret_plans)skype_token - Similar to skype_topicskype_about - 'about' profile entryskype_birthday - Birthdayskype_gender - Genderskype_homepage - Home page URLskype_homephone - Home phone numberskype_officephone - Office phone numberskype_mobilephone - Mobile phone numberskype_city - City nameskype_province - State/Province nameskype_country - Country name

Questions?

Mark Spencer - CTO, DigiumeComm 2009-3-4

Sign up for the Beta!

http://bit.ly/skypeforasterisk