Skype offer "unlimited" international calling subscriptions

Skype today announced new fixed price subscriptions for Skype users calling international landline phone numbers in 34 countries.

For a single monthly cost of between AU$3.95 and AU$6.95 customers can select one of the 34 countries to make "unlimited" calls to. For AU$14.95 per month Sype users can make "unlimited" calls to any landline in the nominated countries. Standard Skype rates to the selected countries typically range from AU$0.02 to AU$0.03 per minute.

In addition, Skype users who select either the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore or China can also use the same subscription to call mobile phone numbers.

"We're making it even easier for the Skype community to call their friends and family who are not yet on Skype." says Chris Lewis, Skype's Asian-Pacific Head of Business Development.

"Your grandmother doesn't need to understand the Internet. You just use your Skype subscription to make the call and she just picks up the phone."

While Skype may be advertising "unlimited" calls, it will be imposing a fair use policy on the subscription offer allowing 10,000 minutes of calling a month per account. After exceeding the 10,000-minute cap customers will be charged standard Skype-out calling rates.

The complete list of associated countries can be found on the Skype Web site.