Hosted VoIP

Ringing in the New Year will mean new fees for Skype (News - Alert) subscribers. The VoIP provider announced a new pricing structure for its SkypeOut calling plan worldwide, which will include a connection fee for users.

 

Skype’s new pricing structure will now include a connection fee of 0–0.039 euros per call (exclusive of VAT) effective from 13.00 CET, January 18th 2007.

 

The move comes after Skype introduced a new annual, paid subscription Unlimited VoIP Calling plan last week. This was a first for Skype, since the VoIP provider had never given its users the opportunity to sign up for a whole year of unlimited SkypeOut calling to any phone within the U.S. and Canada for less than $15.

 

Skype is making this offer ($14.95 per year) available until January 31st 2007; after that, the fee will go up to $29.95 per year. The regular fee for SkypeOut minutes within the U.S. and Canada is 2.1 cents.

 

Regular Skype to Skype-based calls remain free.

 

The company has yet to announce the entire pricing schedule that will go into effect on January 18th 2007.