Skype Offers Unlimited Flat-Rate Calling Plans

Skype has slashed the cost of nationwide and international phone calls with unlimited flat-rate plans. Skype calls on landline and cell phones in the U.S. and Canada will cost $2.95 a month. Unlimited World Skype calls to 34 countries costs $9.95 a month. An analyst said Skype's plans are a threat to mobile operators.

Skype on Monday lowered the cost of nationwide and international calling with the debut of new unlimited calling subscriptions. The launch marks the first time Skype has offered a flat rate for unlimited calls to 34 countries, including Mexico.

Unlimited Skype calls to landline and cell phones in the U.S. and Canada will cost $2.95 per month. Skype subscribers in Mexico can make unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada, and to landlines in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey for $5.95 a month. Unlimited calls to 34 countries are now $9.95 a month, up to 80 percent less than normal SkypeOut rates. Skype-to-Skype calls remain free.

No Strings Attached

"We know Skype users have different communication needs -- whether it's doing free video calls to others on Skype, or using Skype to make calls to friends or family members who are on landline phones," said Don Albert, vice president and general manager of Skype North America. "Our goal is to provide simple, clear options that allow people to choose the free or inexpensive communication methods that work best in their lives."

The 34 countries included in an Unlimited World subscription are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

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