Taipei, January 19th, 2005 — Today PChome Online, Taiwan's leading Internet portal company and Skype's first service partner to offer a co-branded version of Skype, announced an agreement to develop a wide range of consumer electronics products. Skype Technologies S.A is the Global Internet Telephony Company™ that is changing the telecommunications world by offering consumers free, high-quality online voice calls worldwide. PChome Online also today launches its first Skype-ready corded USB phone, PChome Touch-1, which will be marketed through its company's famous Internet commerce site at www.pchome.com.tw.
PChome Online introduced a co-branded Skype application to Taiwan in July, 2004 and attracts a huge number of Skype users that is growing at an accelerated rate. From Pchome-Skype users' experience, easy-to-use devices are a key driver in securing a consumer mass market uptake of Skype. Taking advantage of Taiwan's famous IT and PC manufacturing technique and experience, PChome Online now is working with Skype to provide Skype users with state-of-the-art and affordable Skype-enabled devices.
PChome Touch-1 is the first product and launches with Skype certifcation. It's a corded USB phone which can be easily connected to the PC via a USB interface. With the Skype API, the phone allows the Skype user to control Skype with function buttons and the keypad. The user can hear the ringtone through the USB phone and receive the call, as well as make SkypeOut calls from the numerical keypad. Other functions include microphone mute, quick dial, and backlight LED for indication of the status.
"Skype's alliance with PChome Online is changing the communication landscape in Taiwan by giving people the next generation of Internet telephony. PChome Online's decision to offer easy-to-use Skype compatible products is helping us continue Skype's rapid growth in Taiwan and mirrors our success in other Asian markets," said Niklas Zennström, co-founder and CEO of Skype.
The chairman of PChome Online, Mr. Jan said "With Skype's success in Taiwan and around the world, the potential of the Internet as a voice communications platform is finally being recognized," said Mr. Jan. "PChome Online will team up with Skype to develop a wide range of consumer electronics products in order to serve our users in the best possible way."
The company currently is developing its first cordless USB phone which is expected to release in April, 2005.
About PChome Online
Skype has partnered with PChome Online, Taiwan's leading Internet portal company with over 9 million users, to offer the first co-branded version of Skype. PChome Online covers more than 80% of Internet users in Taiwan.
The co-branded version of PChome-Skype offers the same free features as the Skype software, including PC-to-PC voice calls with superior voice quality, conference calls with up to 5 members, instant messaging, the capability to add photos to personalize your online presence and a global directory.
The co-branded version of PChome-Skype was first made available for download on July 15 at http://skype.pchome.com.tw/buy.htm.
About Skype Technologies S. A.
Skype, the Global Internet Telephony Company™, allows people everywhere to make free, unlimited, superior quality voice calls via its award-winning innovative peer-to-peer software for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Pocket PC platforms. Skype is available in 20 languages and is the fastest growing voice communications offering worldwide. Since its launch in August 2003, Skype has been downloaded more than 50 million times. Skype Technologies S.A. is headquartered in Luxembourg and is growing its offices in London and Tallinn. Skype Technologies is privately held and backed by top-tier international venture capital firms, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Index Ventures, and Mangrove Capital Partners. www.skype.com.
