Another disruption in North American VOIP space, Skype introduces new rate plans.
USATODAY.COM reports that Skype will offer a call rate plan that allows unlimited calls mobile and land line phones in USA/Canada for $29.95 per year. That is same as most other VOIP monthly plans! Talk about Disruption. May be Skype/Ebay is thinking we have already spent billions on this ship, lets go as fast as possible before hitting iceberg, may be the iceberg will break apart! I think they might do that.
The calls have to stay within, originate and terminate, within USA and Canada. Skype also went Gold with Skype 3.0 at the same time of this announcement.
But Andy Abramson at VOIP Watch tell us how to do that from other countries, using hotspotvpn, which will cost you about $9.00 a month. So do your Math, before going that route. He also points out that if you subscribe now, before January 1, 2007, you can get Skype deal for $14.95 and some goodies, they'll also get about 100 minutes of free international calls and $50 in coupons for Skype gear, such as a Motorola headset.
If you have Skype credit, you are also able to convert them.
But the Skype service in North America has been free for a while, since May of this year. So it is unlikely that you have any credit because if you did not spend it, Skype seems to have eaten it, according to Scott Wilson at Indigo Moon. Here is his own words;
"But suddenly, without notice or option, a few months ago Skype arbitrarily revoked the credit, saying it had been on their books too long. So, they removed my ability to spend the money I had given them, then kept the money without credit, and now want to charge me again. How stupid would I have to be to pay up front again for a service from a company that would do that?". Read his post by following the link provided.
Andy's article tells you much more detail about the deal and impact on Skype, Earthlink and other VOIP providers.
Although you could have a phone number for everyone in the family, and call anywhere for almost free, remember, With Skype there is no E911 support. So you need to switch to your local voice provider to call 911, and how many people will remember that in an emergency? I think FCC or an Public Utility commission (PUC), will jump in once a firetruck or Police sent to a wrong place or Nowhere.
So if you are all about saving money and making Skype richer, time to subscribe.
Links;
USATODAY article
Andy's "Skype 3.0 Goes Live, New Cheaper Disruptive Calling Plans Announced for USA"
Indigo Moon worries about his money
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