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Skype Intros Unlimited VoIP Calling Plan
[December 13, 2006]

Skype Intros Unlimited VoIP Calling Plan


TMCnet Contributing Editor
 
Skype (News - Alert) introduced today a new annual, paid subscription Unlimited VoIP Calling plan. This is the first time that Skype is giving its users the opportunity to sign up for a whole year of unlimited SkypeOut calling to any phone within the U.S. and Canada for less than $15.


 
The VoIP service provider will make this offer ($14.95 per year) available until January 31st 2007; after that, the fee will go up to $29.95 per year. The regular fee for SkypeOut minutes within the U.S. and Canada is 2.1 cents.
 
“The new Skype Unlimited Calling Plan is an affordable option that will save consumers and small businesses hundreds of dollars compared to high rates charged by traditional phone companies,” said Don Albert, VP & general manager for Skype North America in a statement about today’s launch. “We want to give Skype customers convenient options of choosing either an unlimited calling plan with a flat annual rate and or staying with our standard pay-per-minute offering.”
 
Skype’s new plan joins the ranks of offerings such as SunRocket’s (News - Alert) Annual Edition VoIP calling plan, which is priced at $199. The provider offers a free GE expandable digital 5.8GHz phone, along with a year’s worth of Internet home phone service (including $3 of international calling every month) for $199.
 
Skype’s offering could also see competition from 8x8 (News - Alert). 8x8 recently launched its Freedom Annual VoIP calling plan. The Freedom Annual VoIP calling plan is priced at $199; and it offers unlimited U.S. and Canada calling, Packet8’s advanced calling features and a free (after rebate) Packet8-enabled 5.8 GHz Uniden Cordless Phone System.
 
Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit her columnist page.
 
Want to learn more about VoIP? Then be sure to check out TMCnet’s Whitepaper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.
 


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