Skype Launches Pay Services for VOIP

by Ed Oswald

VOIP provider Skype announced on Friday that it had surpassed 100 million downloads, and launched two new premium features. The first paid offering, SkypeIn, is a service that allows users to redirect their fixed or mobile phone calls to their Skype number when traveling.

Skype also launched a subscription voicemail service appropriately dubbed Skype Voicemail, which allows users to manage their voicemail messages.

Niklas Zennstrom, Skype CEO and co-founder, says the additional features added to the Skype client will save its customers money. "Travelers will now be able to save thousands of dollars on roaming charges," he said.

While the Skype service itself is free, the new features will incur a monthly fee for those who decide to use them. SkypeIn will cost users 30 euros ($39 USD) for a year, with 3 month subscriptions available for 10 euros ($13 USD).

Skype Voicemail will charge 15 euros ($19 USD) for a yearly subscription, with 3 month subscriptions also available - although those who subscribe to SkypeIn receive it for free. Both services are currently in beta.

According to Skype's internal numbers, it has more than 35 milllion registered numbers, and claims 150,000 new users sign up daily.

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