Toll-Free SkypeOut now free for everyone
Now anyone can make free international calls using SkypeOut even if they don't have SkypeOut as an added value service!
Free SkypeOut was announced by Jaanus Kase an hour ago in the Share Skype blog.
This is for calling typically toll free numbers such as 800, 866, 888. My Skype reporter in Gdansk, Poland, Tomasz Tybulewicz, and I tested out this service by calling +48800656666 a toll free Polish phone number. The sound quality was excellent; the price was right on: FREE.
Tomasz has one question for you to ponder, "Is this a beta test before the introduction of emergency numbers like 911?"
That's a good question Tomasz!
Comments
That is awesome! I just tested it out and it's GREAT. :)
Posted by: p00p | July 26, 2005 01:27 PM
Dear Tomasz, to my knowledge introducing the the emergency numbers like 911 are really difficult task, because a toll free number is specified for only a particular country, from other countries it would be a traffi number if we call from PSTN. But from skype we could call any Toll free number in any country (i.e., to listed countries in skype).
Like that if they introduce emergency numbers like 911, any one call anyother countrie's emergency number, so it maynot be 911, instead it maybe +1-911 or +44-911, etc. But it should be only 911 not the country code include in it. 'coz anyone can play in an emergency call from another country. So emergency calls are not suitable for skype technology or the skype technology should be change architecture.
Posted by: U. Yogeswaran | July 26, 2005 05:36 PM
I doubt 911 will be supported.
1. It would require every Skype user to pay the requisite fees.
2. 911 requires locational information.
911, as an institution, is going to have to adapt to the VOIP world before programs like Skype can support it without compromising what they really are.
Posted by: Brock | July 26, 2005 07:10 PM
Come on Bill, this is NOT free SkypeOut! ;-)
But indeed free access to toll free numbers, like it should be!
But very clever move of Skype of course: people will be able to test the quality of SkypeOut for free! And this will perhaps convince some to buy SkypeOut credit!
Posted by: Jean Mercier | July 27, 2005 12:31 AM
Big Big Big advancement for Skype.
Local businesses and contact centers - watch out for SkypeNet invasion.
We're jealous here in Israel. We want too.
Posted by: Uri L. | July 27, 2005 08:05 AM
I'm just think of an interesting application.
Enterprises buy Google AdWords and put their toll-free numbers along with their URLs. Then customers around the world use toll-free SkypeOut to contact the salespeople or support team of these company.
Will it increase the effect and usability of on-line advetising provided by search engine players and make Skype a more alluring takeover target ?
Posted by: luke | July 27, 2005 07:57 PM
Name is Jaanus Kase (not Kaze). Cheers!
Posted by: Teller | July 27, 2005 11:14 PM
evry think is ok.
Posted by: amiri40 | July 28, 2005 03:19 PM
You can still make free calls though, by calling 1800FREE411. At least, you could before. Now FREE411 doesn't connect you, it justs provides the number.
Posted by: Greg F | February 22, 2006 03:42 PM