Skype Extending Unlimited Calling
The word from various places, including Skype Journal, is that Skype is creating some new unlimited plans to replace the Skype Pro and Skype Unlimited North America plans. The plans are not available yet, but should be shortly:
- Unlimited U.S. and Canada: Similar to existing Skype Pro service. For $2.95 a month, you get unlimited calling to the U.S. and Canada to either landlines or mobiles.
- Unlimited Mexico: Includes unlimited calls to U.S., Canada, and landlines in some locations in Mexico–specifically Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. SkypeOut rates to other locations in Mexico can be up to 80% cheaper, mobile phones 45% cheaper. All that for $5.95 a month.
- Unlimited World: In addition to Unlimited U.S., Canada, and Mexico benefits, unlimited calls to landlines in 32 additional countries for $9.95 a month.
The above plans are for people in the U.S. and Canada. Similar plans also exist for Europe as well. Head on over to Skype Journal for the deets.
What do I think about this? This certainly makes it easier for people to justify giving Skype more per-month. If I made a couple of calls to Mexico or to the countries that are supported, I would certainly do it. However, I find the current Skype Pro offering–and the Skype Unlimited U.S./Canada plan–suffciient for my needs.
Will you take advantage of these new plans? Let me know in the comments.
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Tags: skype, voip Fnord
Comment by Ricky
I would actually likely be interested in that $10/mo plan, to be honest. It’s cheap and would allow me to keep better contact with my European contacts.
Comment by spg
the old skype pro for $3 per month gives free local calls where ever you happen to be. if that was your attraction to skype the equivalent now costs $10/month. if you want to travel and call home the new NA only plan may be a better deal. actaully the most significant thing may be the increase in the FUP from 3000 to 10000 minutes per month. this can be a major benefit for call centers and other bussiness’ that use multiple skype accounts for a cut rate outbound trunk to the PSTN; they just got a 70% discount of there old expense.
Comment by PhoneBoy
@spg the old “Skype Pro” plan that allowed unlimited calling was only available in the U.S. and Canada and was only available for calls within the U.S. and Canada. I know, I had that plan. That same plan is now $2.95.
The new Unlimited World allows unlimited calling to 34 countries for $10. Mobiles are only included in some locations (e.g. U.S., Canada).
Comment by spg
the old ’skype pro’ was only for calls in USA/canada while you were located and behind an IP address in USA/canada. but if for example you were in germany(or any other country where skype pro was available) on vacation you would have unlimited calling(subject to a connection charge) to German landlines while there. the closest equivalent plan is now $10/month.
an interesting thing about the new plans is that with the exception of plans for USA/canada residents you get free skypein numbers with all plans. the world plan comes with 3 free numbers. USA residents have to pay for the skypein numbers(but with a 50% discount)
Comment by PhoneBoy
@spg that makes sense. It wasn’t a feature I ever used while I had the plan, but I can see how that would be useful.
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Comment by Costas Kariolis
The introduction of these new call plans from Skype should prove beneficial for the internet telephony / VoIP sector generally. Anything that helps to bring internet telephone calling further into the mainstream is very welcome.
May we mention that there are other options in the market that allow you to make unlimited calls for a flat rate such as Vonage. There are some significant differences between the services that Vonage and Skype provide that should be taken into consideration by anyone looking to make internet calls.
Firstly, call quality is a major advantage of using Vonage, our call quality is comparable with a regular landline service. Secondly, with Skype you have traditionally needed 1) your PC to be switched on to be able to make and receive calls, with Vonage you have never been reliant on your PC being switched on and 2) a headset or USB phone to be able to make internet phone calls, with Vonage you just plug in your existing home phone. Using your existing touch tone phone gives users the freedom to make unlimited calls in the way you want while you walk around your home or office.
You can find out more about Vonage at http://www.vonage.co.uk.