VoIP Service Skype Announces Days of Free International Calls

WebKnowHow
Wednesday, July 12, 2006; 01:18 AM

Popular VoIP service Skype announced that U.S. and Canadian-based Skype users can make free calls to traditional landlines and mobile phones in the United Kingdom, Mexico and Japan during three ‘Skype Days of Summer’ weekends, starting Saturday, July 15th. The three countries represent some of the most frequently called countries by Skype users and are among the leading destinations for all international calling originating from the United States and Canada.

Free SkypeOut calling to the United Kingdom, Mexico and Japan is available weekends July 15-16, July 22-23 and July 29-30, respectively. The free international SkypeOut calling offer to each country runs 48 hours from 12:01 a.m. EDT Saturdays through Sundays at midnight EDT, when international calling is at a peak.

According to a recent company-issued survey of its users, 70% of Skype users say the most important reasons they use Skype is to stay in touch with family and friends abroad, to make inexpensive calls to landlines and mobile phones, and for free calling to other Skype users anywhere in the world. In addition, of Skype users surveyed, nearly 25% use Skype to make 100% of their international calls. 30% of users state their friends are “spread around the globe.”

“This free international calling offer is yet another way Skype is making it easy and affordable for people in the U.S. and Canada to try Skype and discover the benefits of being able to easily stay in touch with friends and family all over the world,” said Don Albert, general manager, Skype North America. “We think free calling to these three major countries is a great reason for people to try Skype and is a special thank you for our existing U.S. and Canadian customers.”

According to the 2000 U.S. census, there are more than 10 million people currently residing in the United States who were born in the United Kingdom, Mexico and Japan, combined. In Canada, according to the 2001 census, that figure is more than 650,000. With likely personal ties to their birthplaces, Skype considers these individuals to be valuable potential Skype users.

“I moved from the UK to Texas in 1992, and now use Skype to keep in touch with my family back home,” said Jeremy Chapell, a Dallas resident and avid Skype user. “My mother loves Skype—she can call us from England and we talk for hours. We talk about four times more often than we used to, thanks to Skype.” About Skype

Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars.