Skype slashes VoIP calling costs

Skype is to introduce cheaper subscription options

Skype is rolling out changes to its subscription tariff that it claims will provide savings of up to 60 per cent compared with previous pay-as-you-go rates.

The updated plan will cover 170 countries, and pricing starts at just 69p per month, the company said.

"Skype's new monthly subscriptions lower the cost of international calling and make it simple to choose the plan that best meets your needs," said Skype consumer business general manager Neil Stevens.

"People around the world can now have the simplicity and flexibility to call almost any phone in the world for less."

Customers can purchase block subscriptions in one-, three- and 12-month intervals, and talk time will range from 60 minutes to an unlimited plan.

Additionally, customers will be asked to specify the countries they want to call under the plan and whether they want to place calls to mobile phones, landlines or both.

Skype said that it will continue to offer the old pay-as-you-go pricing option through Skype Credit, as well as unlimited global coverage plans.