Skype is blaming a bigger boy for the problems users are having making phone calls.

The Register revealed last week that many users have been unable to receive calls using the SkypeIn service - which lets people on the normal phone network call Skype numbers. The service started having problems, again, in the middle of October and isn't fixed yet.

The problems seem to be getting worse and Skype is now offering compensation to those who complain loudly enough.

Skype told us via email: "We know that some Skype users have been experiencing problems with SkypeIn; this is due to an issue in the provision of services by Skype’s carrier partner. We have made the carrier aware of the problem and they’re working hard to correct the problem. We’re really sorry to all those who have been inconvenienced by the problem”.

Which is nice. But Skype's excuse does sound a bit like this one from March and this one from back in May 2005.®

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• Skype 3.0 beta is go (8 November 2006)
• SkypeIn not in right now (3 November 2006)
• Skype users hang on for free calls (27 October 2006)
• IP phone man's Vonage hell (19 October 2006)
• 'Skype clone' surfaces in China (17 July 2006)
• Skype uses peer pressure defense to explain China text censorship (20 April 2006)
• Skype blows $27m on VoIP firms (12 April 2006)