LAS VEGAS, Jan. 3 - Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd. (PCC), a subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., has teamed up with Skype®, the global Internet communications company, to develop Panasonic Internet calling products. As its initial offering, Panasonic plans to launch a Skype compatible cordless telephone product that will enable select Panasonic cordless telephones to interface directly with Skype. With the new product, consumers will be able to make and receive Skype and traditional calls using the same Panasonic cordless phone.
“This collaboration with Skype will take Internet calling beyond early adopters, making it the preferred means of calling for a broader market,” said Frank Lasorsa, vice president, product and marketing, communications division, Panasonic.
Panasonic’s future Skype compatible products will give consumers access to Skype services including, SkypeOut™, SkypeIn™ and Skype Voicemail™ using a cordless phone and a computer running Skype. Consumers can take their cordless phones with them anywhere in their homes and receive incoming calls from either a traditional landline or Skype. The cordless phone will be able to automatically identify and switch between Skype and traditional incoming calls.
“This alliance with Panasonic marks another milestone in the growing ecosystem of Skype compatible products,” said James Bilefield, vice president of business development for Skype. “Our collaboration with major consumer electronics brands like Panasonic enables the expansion of Skype services beyond the desktop, and helps us to meet the needs of our growing consumer base.”
Skype is used by people in almost every country around the world, and Skyping has become a global phenomenon. The latest version of the Skype software incorporates video and has further simplified the Skype interface, making it even easier for people to see and speak with their family, friends and colleagues.
About Skype
Skype is the world’s fastest-growing service for Internet communication, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice calls for free. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium service offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding services. Skype also has a growing network of hardware and software partners. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.
About Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd. (PCC)
Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. The company specializes in development, manufacturing and sales in the fixed-line communications equipment areas of operation, including document related equipment and the provision of network and system services and solutions. For more information, please visit the Panasonic Communications Web site at http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/en/.
About Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand name, is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronics products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated sales of US$81.436 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. Matsushita's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, New York (NYSE: MC), Pacific, Euronext Amsterdam, Euronext Paris, Frankfurt, and Dusseldorf stock exchanges. For more information, please visit the Matsushita Web site at http://panasonic.co.jp/global/top.html.
Skype is not a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
