Unlimited Long Distance Calls for a Third of the World’s Population

By Harshil Karia • April 22, 2008

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Skype announced unlimited (it’s actually 5 hours a day) calling today to over a third of the world’s population with the launch of its new calling subscriptions. The new subscriptions signal the first time Skype has offered a single, monthly flat rate for international calling to landline numbers in 34 countries.

Stefan Oberg, VP & GM telecoms at Skype said, “This move is a natural step for Skype. Skype was founded on the principle of making free voice and video calls available to people all around the world. And now we’re making it even easier for the Skype community to call their friends and family who are not yet on Skype. Our subscriptions give people an easy, hassle-free choice for how and when they want to catch up with their loved ones.”

309 million people all over the world use Skype in all sorts of ways - whether it’s a weekly video call with a sister in Paris or sending an instant message to a college friend in Tokyo or calling a business contact overseas.

The rate for unlimited calling all over the World is EUR 8.95/ month. There are special rates for exclusive calling to specific countries as well.

This announcement comes amid speculation surrounding the sale of Skype by eBay.

Skype seems to be moving ahead of the race with respect to VoIP. Other players such as Jaxtr are just in the process of opening up their ‘walled gardens’. Jaxtr recently allowed SMS beyond their user community. Their service is still unable to bypass traditional phone networks.

Categories: Mobile
Tags: ebay, sale of skype, Skype, skype unlimited calling, voip

About the Author

Harshil Karia

Harshil is one of the Executive Directors at FoxyMoron. Often known as the 'Constant Observer', Harshil's interest lies in New Digital Media, Social Media, Web 2.0 and the Internet in general. He believes strongly in the utilitarian power of the Internet and watching that power take shape fascinates him to a large extent. He is dabbling with design enhancement as well. He pens down his thoughts on BeFoxy as well where he brings forth tools, tricks, and important 'how to' guides on being 'Foxy'. Follow him on Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/harshilkaria

4 Responses to “ Unlimited Long Distance Calls for a Third of the World’s Population ”

Manoj Apr 23rd, 2008 at 9:59 am

Off late I’ve been seeing lot of post in watblog which doesn’t have enough research before the get posted. Guys, skype is not giving this offer to whole world but its for only some countries.
Harshil Karia Apr 23rd, 2008 at 10:58 am

Hey Manoj - its 34 countries - roughly 1/3rd of the World’s Population as the Title says!
Donald May 30th, 2008 at 4:56 am

I have an Skype In number in the USA. But I don’t live in the USA, I live in Ecuador, if I decide to pay the Subscription for unlimited calls to USA and Canada, will I be able to make calls from Ecuador with Skype.
Kapil Patel Sep 24th, 2008 at 10:54 pm

“This plan is very interesting, because of my lots of friends are in australia & I stay in India.
so we say ‘Bak-Bak’ very nice”