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March 2005

Skype Simplifies for New Users

March 23, 2005

Luxembourg 23 March 2005 - Skype, the Global Internet Telephony Company™, today launched Skype for Windows version 1.2 (v 1.2) with enhanced user benefits including a centralized Contacts list, which allows users access to their list of contacts from multiple devices from wherever they connect to Skype, and a new 'Getting Started Wizard,' which makes finding friends, importing contacts and making test calls even easier.


Skype is the leading VOIP-category product worldwide, with more than 31 million registered users growing by more than 160,000 new users per day. More than 6 billion minutes of Skype calls have been made by users around the world who have enjoyed the instantly downloadable, easy-to-use software.


"The latest Skype software for Windows builds on previous versions and takes Skype portability, ubiquity and quality to a new standard for modern communications," said Niklas Zennström, Skype CEO and co-founder. "We are grateful for the user input that helped shape this latest version, and applaud the Skype development team for their excellence."


Skype for Windows v 1.2 delivers several benefits requested by Skype users, including remote access to contacts from any Internet-connected PC or other Skype client in the world. In earlier versions of Skype, the contacts lists was stored locally; the new central contacts list expands user options and allow one to Skype with their existing contacts from multiple locations and platforms. The latest version also allows users to instantly import contacts from other desktop services and applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, MSN Messenger and Opera.



The latest version enhancements make downloading and using Skype even simpler for new users. The 'Getting Started Wizard' appears as soon as the client launches and acts as a one-click launch pad to Skype's frequently-used functions, such as importing contacts, searching Skype's global user directory, editing personal profiles to make it easier for friends and family to locate users, configuring privacy settings, making test calls and accessing online help. Skype has simultaneously launched a new 'Help' section on the company website to increase the ability of users to easily find information online and access email-based support.


Additional new benefits in Skype for Windows v1.2 include multiple file transfer, updated sounds, more customizable settings to personalize the Skype experience, and the superior voice quality Skype users have come to expect. Skype continues to provide chat, conference calling for up to 5 participants, cross-platform communications, and rich presence and personalization features.


Skype for Windows v1.2 is available immediately for download from www.skype.com and from select Skype partners. Skype for Windows v 1.2 enables SkypeIn and Skype Voicemail services – both presently in beta testing. Skype for Windows v 1.2 works on any Windows 2000/XP PC with a 400 MHz processor, and requires a headset, Skype compatible phone or a microphone and speakers.


 


 

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Skype Hits One Million SkypeOut Users

March 11, 2005

March 11, 2005 — As of today, more than 1,000,000 users enjoyed the benefits of SkypeOut, Skype's first premium service offering global calling to PSTN numbers for local rates. Skype is the leading VOIP-category product, worldwide.


"We're thrilled about Skype's growth and credit support from users who have told their friends and family about the cost and quality gains they've found with Skype," said CEO and co-founder Niklas Zennström, speaking from the CeBIT tradeshow in Hanover, Germany. "Our one million SkypeOut users prove that savvy consumers will pay for value - and we will continue to delight users by delivering the software and services they seek to realize the potential of modern communications."


This milestone is the most recent achievement for the fastest-growing global communications tool in history. Skype has more than 29 million registered users and is adding more than 155,000 new users per day. On average, 2 million people are simultaneously using Skype to connect with friends, family members and colleagues. Skypers have now talked for approx six billion minutes. (Note "minutes served" is tracked on the main Skype.com homepage and will likely hit 6 billion later today.)


Skype is constantly innovating and setting new standards of quality and value for Internet Telephony. Skype has stated commitments to expanding platforms beyond the MAC, Linux, Windows and Pocket PC platforms currently available, and is making massive inroads in implementing our wireless strategy to expand portability. In the near future, Skype will announce new premium offerings, and enhancements to the basic free service.


Skype's award-winning software has been honored by numerous organizations. A complete listing of Skype's awards is available at www.skype.com/company/awards/.


Please let us know if you have questions or would like any additional information.


Thank you for your interest in Skype and your support over the last year and a half.


 


 

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Broadreach Networks and Skype Deliver Voice over Wi-Fi

March 3, 2005


LONDON, March 3, 2005 – Broadreach Networks, one of the UK's leading independent Internet location providers and Skype Technologies S.A., the Global Internet Telephony Company™, today announced a partnership offering free Voice over Wi-Fi. Broadreach will open its network of 350 ReadytoSurf™ fixed and Wi-Fi wireless Internet locations in popular train stations, cafés and retail outlets across the UK to allow all Skype users free access to Skype. Starting today, wherever there is a ReadytoSurf hotspot, Skype users will enjoy the benefits of their Skype account at no charge whilst away from the home or office.


This partnership allows Skype's users in the UK to extend their reach to the growing base of more than 28 million global users. The new traffic will boost usage of Broadreach's ReadytoSurf™ hotspots and users will be charged for access to data services like Web browsing and email.


Broadreach's network of internet locations, which has a combined footfall of over 1bn per year, includes major brands like Virgin Megastores, Eurostar, Travelodge, Moto, Little Chef, Virgin Trains, EAT , Choice Hotels and Quality Inn and major railway stations including all the London terminals. Broadreach is the first hotspot operator to have secured a deal of this sort with Skype and is the launch partner in the UK. Global peer-to-peer Internet telephony company, Skype, offers a free, feature-rich multi-mode communications software with unrivalled call quality. Free Skype features include instant messaging with group chat, 5-party conference calling, file transfer, and easy mobility with the ability to sign in to a Skype account from any Internet connected PC anywhere in the world, a user-built global contact directory with numerous search options and an easy add-a-contact tool. Skype also offers SkypeOut, a pre-paid service that allows calls to landline and mobile numbers worldwide at low calling rates.


"Broadreach is a leader in the UK wireless market with a very high number of customers passing through its network locations and creative deployments such as Wi-Fi for rail passengers. Broadreach's understanding of, and relationships with, the transport industry makes the collaboration a compelling one for us and all UK Skype users," said Niklas Zennström, Skype CEO and co-founder. "We will continue to deliver our wireless strategy and efforts to make Skype ubiquitous".


Broadreach CEO and founder Magnus McEwen-King added: "Skype's success at spreading the word about Internet telephony is well-known and we are delighted to be offering free access to Skype users into our hotspots. We are pleased to be chosen as Skype's UK launch partner for Voice over WiFi, which endorses the quality of our network based on the brands in our portfolio as well as the very high footfall figures. We've always known that VoIP services would be very useful in a hotspot, and have been keen to make our ReadytoSurf™ sites ReadytoTalk™ for some time in order to enhance the experience for our 110,000 registered users, and those of our roaming partners. For us, the deal will drive awareness and use of our sites for data access services – Broadreach sites are already ReadytoSurf™ for data, now they are ReadytoTalk™ with Skype."


 

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