June 01, 2006
Skype, in partnership with VOIP vendor Vapps, have announced that they have created free conference calling which can include up to 500 participants on each call, according to techworld.com.
The name of the launch is called HighSpeedConferencing.com, where Skype users can sign up for free conference rooms. Those who may have to use landline phones on the conference-call, will have that option available, except there will be the possibility that long-distance charges could apply. There will be no fee for Skype users.
Coupled with last months announcement that all SkypOut calls to landline and mobile phones in the U.S. and Canada will be free, this is a move by Skype to get larger penetration in the North American market for the purpose of getting them to try their premium products and services.
The move seems to be toward attracting the small and medium-size business market.
Rebecca Swensen, a VOIP services analyst with IDC said, "Doing this helps them gain some market share in the market for enterprises and small businesses," Swensen said. "I'm sure Skype is trying to get them to see that using Skype in their sales departments is a lot cheaper that [traditional] telephone service."
