Skype to begin charging again for SkypeOut calls in North America

Filed under: Internet, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Commercial, VoIP

Skype to begin charging again for SkypeOut calls in North America

by Brad Linder Dec 13th 2006

One of my first thoughts on realizing that Skype's mobile client would now work with smartphones was "great, free phone calls." I thought about canceling my mobile service, getting a smartphone and signing up for an unlimited data plan -- with no voice service.

Well, that might still work (if you're willing to always use an external headset. Skype won't route sound through your smartphone's speaker), but the calls won't exactly be free.

SkypeOut calls to telephones in the U.S. and Canada have been free since May. But that was obviously too good to last, and the company said at the time that the promotion would only last through the end of the year. Skype general manager Don Albert told the New York Times that people have shown that they're willing to make SkypeOut calls if they're reasonably priced.

To that end, starting January 1st, Skype will charge $29.95 a year for unlimited SkypeOut calling, which is still a pretty good deal if you ask me. And if you sign up before January 31st, you'll get service for just $14.95. If you don't have a plan, calls within the U.S. and Canada will cost 2.1 cents per minute. Rates to other countries vary.

Tags: skype, skypeout, telephone

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Randy Phillips said 12:54PM on 12-13-2006

Your comment about Skype audio doesn't agree with my experience - at least with my Dash. It worked just like any phone call, with audio coming through where it should, no external headset needed (although I couldn't hear my voice fed back through like I normally can).

Ryan James said 12:54PM on 12-13-2006

Just a question...does this new version of Skype work on PALM smartphones?? I can't seem to find a place to download it.

justin said 1:12PM on 12-13-2006

Randy,

I was about to install it on my 8125 but am apprehensive for that exact reason, the loudspeaker thing. Do you know if its works differently with a smartphone than with a PPC?

DiRT said 2:10PM on 12-13-2006

Not free anymore? Uninstalling now...

Randy Phillips said 4:31PM on 12-13-2006

"Do you know if its works differently with a smartphone than with a PPC?"

Don't own a PPC, Justin, so I have no info on that, but I would think that since a PPC is not strictly meant to be used as a phone, the speaker issue may apply. In fact, if Brad had said PPC instead of Smartphone regarding the speaker, he would have been correct, I think. But it does indeed work as advertised on a Windows Mobile smartphone (and not Palm...sorry, Ryan).

Fergus Macdonald said 4:44PM on 12-13-2006

Sadly i have found that Skype isn't always reliable enough to justify a permanent switch.

Kevin M. said 11:03PM on 12-13-2006

Skype to skype calls (and skypecasts too) are still free... and always will be.

Nic said 11:03PM on 12-13-2006

Randy-

I've been wanting to get a smart phone to use skype. Is it easy to setup on the dash? Can you give a website to get more specific details on how the installation and use works? Calls can be made even when there is no cell service, just wifi.?.?

Thank you for any info...

VoIP Monitoring said 11:18PM on 12-13-2006

IMO, Skype actually sucks!

You can get a lot more from a SIP provider then this eBay owned service.

Jeff Greene said 8:17AM on 12-28-2006

I don't think there's really any cause to complain about Skype again charging for outgoing calls to landlines. The free calls deal was great while it lasted. Purely VoIP calls will still be free, and Skype's unlimited service plan is relatively inexpensive.

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