Skype International SA created excitement with the announcement two new services and two more coming based on voice over internet protocol technology or VOIP.
The SkypeIn and SkypeOut services, in their beta versions, will give customers the ability to deal with others using any type of landline or mobile phone. SkypeIn allows customers to receive calls from landline or mobile phones and SkypeOut allows users to make calls for per minute charge.
Skype also intends to offer a video conferencing service and another service designed for small and medium sized businesses.
“We now offer customers the opportunity to purchase phone numbers so they can be reached by non-Skype users with ordinary fixed or mobile phones, and to sign up for a voicemail service,” said Skype spokeswoman Kat James on Monday. “We are also planning a video conferencing service and another tailored for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) in the near future. Adding new premium services to our free Skype-to-Skype offer is something we’ve planned from the start.”
The SkypeIn services will gives users the opportunity for users to be up to 3 numbers in 8 countries for 10 euros a month or $13 or 30 euros a year. The countries include the U.S., the U.K. Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Hong Kong and France.
One of the neat features is the traveling benefit. Even though your number is based in a single city like Oslo for example, even if you take the call in New York you get the rate for Oslo. In other words, it’s a great “no-roaming” feature.
The technology Skype is based on the peer-to-peer that allows other users to chat and talk. Sharman Networks Ltd, best known for creating the Kazaa file-sharing software are the developers of the Skype Technology.
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.
