Skype: Free calls to toll-free phone numbers global beta

[ActuaryTm]

Link

• We?ve just made a change to SkypeOut that allows you to call toll-free numbers in several countries free of charge, even if you don?t have SkypeOut and don?t ever plan to buy it. (If you DO have SkypeOut, those calls are priced at zero price.) Note that this is currently in beta, so there may be issues ? see below for details ? but we?ve verified it works fairly well for us.
  
  The following countries and number ranges are supported. We?re working on the rest of the world.
  France: +33 800, +33 805, +33 809
  Poland: +48 800
  UK: +44 500, +44 800, +44 808
  USA: +1 800, +1 866, +1 877, +1 888
  
  We think this is a fairly big thing.
  
  If you?re a Skype user, here?s the deal. You can call the toll-free numbers in many countries even if you haven?t bought SkypeOut and don?t ever plan to. You can also use this to see that SkypeOut works well for you as a sort of ?try before you buy at no risk?.

 

[RossMAN]

This is great news but how often do people in other countries call toll free numbers?

 

[Juice Box]

I might try it out to test quality sometime....if I gotta call a tech support line or something...could be useful

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
This is great news but how often do people in other countries call toll free numbers?

I think the complaint thus far has been SkypeOut users were forced to pay when calling toll-free numbers in the past (even within their own country). At 0.017 Euros per minute, it can add up over time.

Originally posted by: Juice Box
I might try it out to test quality sometime....if I gotta call a tech support line or something...could be useful

Exactly. It essentially allows first time users to test SkypeOut for free, which was difficult to do in the past.

 

[zerocool1]

the only issue with skype is that you can't use it for 911.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: zerocool1
the only issue with skype is that you can't use it for 911.

Agreed. Skype is thus far quite adamant about the role their product(s) should play (source):

• "Skype is not a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for emergency dialing."

I personally believe Skype would be better off as a company if 911/e911 service was offered.

 

[RossMAN]

I'm actually considering cancelling our VOIP and just using Skype.

We rarely use our landline so it would be more cost effective, plus the call quality is pretty damn good.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm actually considering cancelling our VOIP and just using Skype.

We rarely use our landline so it would be more cost effective, plus the call quality is pretty damn good.

It certainly can be cost effective, and I've found the same regarding call quality. A large percentage of users also have mobile service of one kind or another, so the emergency service issue is somewhat moot.

You'd likely make use of SkypeIn as well, I take it?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I'm actually considering cancelling our VOIP and just using Skype.

We rarely use our landline so it would be more cost effective, plus the call quality is pretty damn good.

It certainly can be cost effective, and I've found the same regarding call quality. A large percentage of users also have mobile service of one kind or another, so the emergency service issue is somewhat moot.

You'd likely make use of SkypeIn as well, I take it?

Correct, although I could give out my cell phone for inbound calls.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Correct, although I could give out my cell phone for inbound calls.

Very true.

I've seen mention several times of a SjypeForward feature on the Skype support forum which could prove rather useful. I suppose it could work in both directions as well if one's mobile phone/provider supports forwarding - forward Skype number to mobile when not at home, and forward mobile to Skype number when you are.

 

[RossMAN]

SkypeForward sounds awesome, thanks for the info.