Skype has listened and learned from their customers.
Last year Skype was offering USA and Canadian residents "unlimited" dialing plans. Now they are offering them to the world at monthly rates which basically make Skype Pro for many a thing of the past, with a near global calling plan for 9.95 a month as of today.
What does this mean? Here's my take:
1. Revenue can become more predictable as it will be charged monthly. Unlike the Skype Unlimited plan which was a one time purchase, this allows users to change plans and also drop or add it as they need it. That means students and vacationers are ideal targets.
2. The charges can be to PayPal or any credit card. This opens up the universe of potential users to non-PayPal users.
3. The plan is changeable between hemispheres so if you buy one in say the USA and end up in Europe working, in school or on vacation the Skype users can swap out as needed.
Here are the USA prices Skype sent me so there wouldn't be any questions about the new rates but note that from now until June 1st, Skype will offer a 33% off discount on 3-month and 12-month subscriptions. You can find these subscriptions, simply go to skype.com/go/subscriptions for more details.
USA & Canada
Unlimited US & Canada Unlimited calls* to United States and Canada landlines and cell phones €1.95/month $2.95/month £1.95/month
Unlimited Mexico Unlimited calls* to landlines in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara. Plus discounted rates to landlines and cell phones in the rest of Mexico €3.95/month $5.95/month £2.95/month
Unlimited World Unlimited calls* to landlines in 34 countries worldwide €6.95/month $9.95/month £4.95/month
Europe
Unlimited Country Unlimited calls* to landlines in the European country of your choice €2.95/month $4.95/month £1.95/month
Unlimited Europe Unlimited calls* to landlines in 20 European countries €3.95/month $5.95/month £2.95/month
Unlimited World Unlimited calls* to landlines in 34 countries worldwide €8.95/month $12.95/month £6.95/month
Asia
Unlimited Country Unlimited calls* to landlines in one of 34 countries €3.95/month $5.95/month £2.95/month
Asia 200 200 minutes of calls to landlines and mobiles in China, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan per month €5.95/month $7.95/month £3.95/month
Unlimited World Unlimited calls* to landlines in 34 countries worldwide €8.95/month $12.95/month £6.95/month
Brazil
Brazil 400 400 minutes of calls to landlines in Brazil per month €5.95/month $8.95/month £4.95/month
World 400 400 minutes of calls to landlines in Brazil and 34 countries per month €9.95/month $14.95/month £7.95/month
Unlimited World Unlimited calls* to landlines in 34 countries worldwide (excl. Brazil) €8.95/month $12.95/month £6.95/month
REST OF WORLD
Unlimited Country Unlimited calls* to landlines in one of 34 countries €3.95/month $5.95/month £2.95/month
Unlimited World Unlimited calls* to landlines in 34 countries worldwide €8.95/month $12.95/month £6.95/month
UPDATE-Skype Journal's Jim Courtney adds some of the other benefits that the new plan has (like three Skype In Numbers, dropping of the connection fee charges, etc.) all of which add up to greater savings.
Update 2--as a result of a chat with Jim Courtney---The offer of additional or free Skype In numbers helps with reciprocal compensation...Oh, yeah, don't forget, Skype's not a phone company...RIGHT!
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