May 2006

San Jose, CA, May 15, 2006 – Skype®, the global Internet communications company, today announced that all US and Canadian-based Skype customers can now make free SkypeOut™ calls to traditional landline and mobile phones in the US and Canada. Previously, Skype users in both countries were required to pay for Skype calls from their PCs to traditional telephones. Free SkypeOut calls to the US or Canada will be available to US and Canadian-based Skype users until the end of the year.

Skype has now removed any cost barrier for its American and Canadian customers to keep in touch with friends, family and business associates. Skype anticipates that completely free calling in the US and Canada will expand Skype’s increasing penetration in North America and solidify Skype’s position as the Internet’s voice communication tool of choice. More people will now have the chance to benefit from Skype’s premium services and online calling capabilities.

“Millions of consumers around the world are flocking to Skype every month, and we believe free SkypeOut calling will rapidly accelerate Skype adoption in the US and Canada,” said Henry Gomez, General Manager, Skype North America. “We’re very excited to be bringing Skype’s convenience and voice quality to so many people for free.”

While SkypeOut calls within the US and Canada will now be free, SkypeOut calls to and within all other countries will continue to incur charges. Those charges are unchanged by today’s announcement and remain among the lowest available to consumers.

Last week Skype released a new beta version of its software that adds even more features and functionality to Skype’s voice and video calling options, including: SMS; simplified dialing; payments in Skype; Outlook contact integration; call quality management; simplified registration; shared contact groups; and improved conference calling. On May 1, after just more than two and a half years in operation, Skype achieved 100 million registered users worldwide.

About Skype

Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free between the users of Skype software. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.

Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling.

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New functionality further improves the way people worldwide talk on the Internet

LUXEMBOURG, MAY 3, 2006 – Skype, the global Internet communications company, today released the beta version of Skype 2.5, the newest edition of its software that allows anyone with an Internet connection to make free worldwide voice and video calls. With new features and enhanced functionality, Skype now makes it even easier to set up a Skype account and to call and stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues for free.

As part of the new software enhancements, registration is simplified for new Skype customers and dialling traditional phone numbers is more intuitive, making calls to landlines or cell phones anywhere in the world easy and affordable. Features such as improved conference calling offer excellent voice quality and make it a natural way to stay in touch. Simple prompts while Skyping allow users to adjust how they manage their internet connection to ensure they have the best possible call quality. Other new functionality includes built-in, localized payment options, now in over 15 currencies.

“Skype has always focused on making it easy for people to have conversations for as long as they like, anywhere in the world, for free. We want to make Internet calling incredibly straightforward so people can effortlessly stay in touch,” said Niklas Zennström, CEO of Skype. “With the latest version of Skype’s award-winning software we’ve listened to our customers and made it even easier for communities of people to connect and easily talk to each other for free.”

Skype 2.5 Beta Features
As with all Skype releases, Skype 2.5 beta customers can talk for as long as they like with over 100 million Skype customers across the world without worrying about the cost or the distance of the call.

The latest version of Skype is available for download at skype.com. The free software includes:

Easy Dialing – instead of having to remember specific country codes, easily call landlines or cell phones worldwide by selecting the country of choice from a dropdown menu.
Payments in Skype – payment is now built into the Skype software, making it simpler to buy Skype credit, SkypeOut minutes, ringtones from artists like Madonna and more.
Send Short Message Service (SMS) Messages – send a one-way SMS message to any mobile phone number in the world by selecting a SkypeOut contact, entering a mobile phone number or selecting a Skype contact’s mobile phone number in their profile.
View Outlook Contacts – quickly view Outlook contacts in Skype and call directly using SkypeOut, a call from Skype to traditional landlines or cell phones.
Improved Conference Calling – instantly see who is talking on a conference call as the participant’s picture flashes when they begin to speak.
Shared Contact Groups – easily share contacts with friends and family and help them connect with other people; bring groups together with just one click of a button to start a group chat or conference call.
Simplified Registration – create Skype accounts in one simple step.
Automatic Updates – receive an automatic prompt to download the latest Skype software any time the product is upgraded.
Call Quality Management – lets users adjust and manage their computer environment and internet connection to ensure they have the best possible call quality.
Skype Certified Hardware
In addition to the introduction of Skype 2.5 beta, leading hardware vendors have announced the following Skype Certified products, which extend and add value to the Skype experience:

Available from May 2006 in Europe and July in the rest of the world, the Philips VOIP321 DECT cordless dual phone enables free Skype calls, as well as ordinary landline calls – for maximum consumer freedom and the ability to switch seamlessly between both communications mediums.
The new Creative Live! Cam Voice, available worldwide this month, features ground-breaking directional audio and noise reduction technology that captures the user's voice while eliminating background and environmental noise from outside the webcam's field of view, making it the perfect companion to Skype.
Polycom and Skype this week announced the Polycom Communicator™, a USB speakerphone that leverages Polycom’s Acoustic Clarity Technology™ to deliver high-fidelity, two-way voice communication for Skype conversations, without echoes or feedback.
Skype Certified products, such as Webcams, headsets and USB phones are available online at skype.com/shop and at major retailers across the US, Europe and Asia, including Radio Shack.

Skypecasts Preview
In addition to Skype 2.5 beta, the company has introduced an early preview of Skypecasts. Skypecasts are live, moderated conversations allowing groups of up to 100 people from anywhere in the world to talk to one another.

Skypecasts enable people to discuss shared interests – anything from classic cars and cooking, to home design and computer support. Skypecasts are moderated by the ‘host’ who is able to mute, eject or pass the virtual microphone to participants when they wish to speak. Hosting or participating in a Skypecast is completely free.

Several Skype partners are currently piloting Skypecasts with their communities. For example, Six Apart, a leader in blogging software and services for individuals and businesses, plans to promote Skypecasts as a way of expanding their online communities. Bloggers can schedule Skypecasts and link to them from their sites, so visitors using Skype can click to join discussions instantly without leaving the blog site.

Skypecasts can be promoted on any website using simple HTML snippets. All live Skypecasts are available in preview form at skypecasts.skype.com.

About Skype
Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free between the users of Skype software. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.

Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling.

Link

LUXEMBOURG, MAY 8th, 2006 – Sainsbury’s and Skype™, the global Internet communications company, today announced a deal that will enable customers to buy Skype credit – in the form of eVouchers ­­­– at more than 500 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK.

As Skype credit becomes readily available, Sainsbury’s will also shortly be stocking Skype certified hardware (headsets and handsets) to enable new users to start using Skype. Skype credit lets Skype users call landlines or mobile phones anywhere in the world, for as little as 1p per minute. Users simply dial the landline or mobile number from their computer and they are immediately connected to who they are calling. Skype PC to PC calls to any of the other 100 million Skype users anywhere in the world will always be free.

According to Adam Zeiderman, commercial manager, Sainsbury’s home services, “We are delighted to be the first retailer in Europe to sell Skype eVouchers in our stores. We think our customers will welcome the convenience of being able to purchase inexpensive worldwide internet calls when they shop. This will complement our existing telecommunications offer. Combined with our experience selling mobile phone top-up cards, we anticipate that the system will integrate seamlessly into all our stores.”

Alistair Shrimpton, market development manager for Skype in the UK said, “From today, you can buy Skype credit as easily as you buy sandwiches or cereal. Our relationship with Sainsburys means more and more people can enjoy using the Internet to call family and friends all over the world. Buying Skype credit with cash while doing your regular shopping makes the whole Skype experience even more accessible to existing Skype users and new ones. ”

Skype credit features

Skype credit consists of an easy to use eVoucher system that works in the same way as the pre-pay ‘top-up’ model used by the mobile phone industry. Sainsburys’ customers simply specify the amount of credit they need and can buy a Skype eVoucher at the checkout. The eVoucher has a unique PIN code to enter when they log on to their Skype account page and once activated, makes Skype credit immediately available for use. During a call, customers will be given an on-screen indication of how much credit they are using. Aside from making landline or mobile ‘phone calls, Skype credit can also be used to buy other Skype products such as ring tones from featured artists, like Madonna.

About Skype

Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free between the users of Skype software. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.

Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling.

Link

LUXEMBOURG, MAY 3, 2006 – Skype, the global Internet communications company, today released the beta version of Skype 2.5, the newest edition of its software that allows anyone with an Internet connection to make free worldwide voice and video calls. With new features and enhanced functionality, Skype now makes it even easier to set up a Skype account and to call and stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues for free.

As part of the new software enhancements, registration is simplified for new Skype customers and dialling traditional phone numbers is more intuitive, making calls to landlines or cell phones anywhere in the world easy and affordable.  Features such as improved conference calling offer excellent voice quality and make it a natural way to stay in touch. Simple prompts while Skyping allow users to adjust how they manage their internet connection to ensure they have the best possible call quality. Other new functionality includes built-in, localized payment options, now in over 15 currencies.

“Skype has always focused on making it easy for people to have conversations for as long as they like, anywhere in the world, for free. We want to make Internet calling incredibly straightforward so people can effortlessly stay in touch,” said Niklas Zennström, CEO of Skype. “With the latest version of Skype’s award-winning software we’ve listened to our customers and made it even easier for communities of people to connect and easily talk to each other for free.”

Skype 2.5 Beta Features

As with all Skype releases, Skype 2.5 beta customers can talk for as long as they like with over 100 million Skype customers across the world without worrying about the cost or the distance of the call.

The latest version of Skype is available for download at skype.com. The free software includes:

• Easy Dialing – instead of having to remember specific country codes, easily call landlines or cell phones worldwide by selecting the country of choice from a dropdown menu.


• Payments in Skype – payment is now built into the Skype software, making it simpler to buy Skype credit, SkypeOut minutes, ringtones from artists like Madonna and more.


• Send Short Message Service (SMS) Messages – send a one-way SMS message to any mobile phone number in the world by selecting a SkypeOut contact, entering a mobile phone number or selecting a Skype contact’s mobile phone number in their profile.


• View Outlook Contacts – quickly view Outlook contacts in Skype and call directly using SkypeOut, a call from Skype to traditional landlines or cell phones.


• Improved Conference Calling – instantly see who is talking on a conference call as the participant’s picture flashes when they begin to speak.


• Shared Contact Groups – easily share contacts with friends and family and help them connect with other people; bring groups together with just one click of a button to start a group chat or conference call.


• Simplified Registration – create Skype accounts in one simple step.


• Automatic Updates – receive an automatic prompt to download the latest Skype software any time the product is upgraded.


• Call Quality Management – lets users adjust and manage their computer environment and internet connection to ensure they have the best possible call quality.

Skype Certified Hardware

In addition to the introduction of Skype 2.5 beta, leading hardware vendors have announced the following Skype Certified products, which extend and add value to the Skype experience:

• Available from May 2006 in Europe and July in the rest of the world, the Philips VOIP321 DECT cordless dual phone enables free Skype calls, as well as ordinary landline calls – for maximum consumer freedom and the ability to switch seamlessly between both communications mediums. 


• The new Creative Live! Cam Voice, available worldwide this month, features ground-breaking directional audio and noise reduction technology that captures the user's voice while eliminating background and environmental noise from outside the webcam's field of view, making it the perfect companion to Skype.


• Polycom and Skype this week announced the Polycom Communicator™, a USB speakerphone that leverages Polycom’s Acoustic Clarity Technology™ to deliver high-fidelity, two-way voice communication for Skype conversations, without echoes or feedback.

Skype Certified products, such as Webcams, headsets and USB phones are available online at skype.com/shop and at major retailers across the US, Europe and Asia, including Radio Shack.

Skypecasts Preview

In addition to Skype 2.5 beta, the company has introduced an early preview of Skypecasts. Skypecasts are live, moderated conversations allowing groups of up to 100 people from anywhere in the world to talk to one another.

Skypecasts enable people to discuss shared interests – anything from classic cars and cooking, to home design and computer support. Skypecasts are moderated by the ‘host’ who is able to mute, eject or pass the virtual microphone to participants when they wish to speak. Hosting or participating in a Skypecast is completely free.

Several Skype partners are currently piloting Skypecasts with their communities. For example, Six Apart, a leader in blogging software and services for individuals and businesses, plans to promote Skypecasts as a way of expanding their online communities. Bloggers can schedule Skypecasts and link to them from their sites, so visitors using Skype can click to join discussions instantly without leaving the blog site.

Skypecasts can be promoted on any website using simple HTML snippets. All live Skypecasts are available in preview form at skypecasts.skype.com.

About Skype

Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free between the users of Skype software. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.

Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling.

Link

PLEASANTON, Calif., LUXEMBOURG and NEW YORK – May 1, 2006 – Polycom, Inc. [NASDAQ: PLCM], the world’s leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, and Skype™, the global Internet communications company, today announced an agreement to deliver integrated, high-quality communications solutions for businesses who use Skype. Skype estimates that business customers make up 30 percent of its more than 100 million registered users.

The first joint product from this alliance is the Polycom Communicator™, a Skype Certified, co-branded USB speakerphone that leverages Polycom’s renowned Acoustic Clarity Technology™ to deliver hands-free, natural, two-way voice communication for Skype voice and video conversations, without echoes or feedback. The Polycom Communicator complements the new Skype for Business offering, providing an affordable and portable personal speakerphone solution that delivers business-quality, high-fidelity wideband voice communications for individuals or small groups. It delivers a best-in-class user experience with outstanding voice quality, integration with Skype software, and portability. In addition to the core speakerphone capabilities, the Polycom Communicator also offers high-quality audio output for playing music, games, etc. from a laptop or desktop PC.

“The partnership between Polycom and Skype is a natural fit,” said Will Stofega, research manager of VoIP services at IDC. “Skype is making inroads into business environments which require business-quality solutions. The Polycom Communicator delivers the full range of wideband voice quality for the Skype application and the experience is excellent. The hands-free design and tight integration makes the Polycom Communicator easy to set up and use.”

“Teaming with Polycom, we can offer Skype business customers high-quality, portable communications solutions, based on proven technology, that can help them extend Skype more broadly into their everyday work environment,” said Henry Gomez, Skype’s general manager for North America.

Polycom Communicator was introduced this morning in conjunction with the NASDAQ market opening by Polycom CEO Robert Hagerty, who was accompanied by Polycom CFO Mike Kourey and SVP of Voice Products Sunil Bhalla. The company is celebrating its tenth anniversary as a publicly traded company and the shipment of the two-millionth SoundStation conference phone -- the award-winning, triangular-shaped conference phone line that has become an icon for voice conferencing quality in businesses around the globe.

“Personal and group collaboration is a critical communications need in this world of distributed workgroups. Skype’s unique offering, broad global user base, and growing adoption within business environments is a natural fit for Polycom’s leading communications and collaboration solutions,” said Robert Hagerty, chairman and CEO of Polycom. “We are pleased to launch our first Skype Certified hands-free, wideband USB speakerphone, which leverages our expertise in real-time voice communications and is a logical extension of our award-winning voice communications product line. The Polycom Communicator’s deep integration with Skype provides customers with unrivaled quality and performance in a personal PC speakerphone.”

The Polycom Communicator delivers:

• Exceptional voice quality – The device features high-quality, full-duplex (two-way), hands-free voice communications; high-fidelity wideband audio quality capabilities and Polycom’s renowned Acoustic Clarity Technology that eliminates echoes and feedback. The device also supports Skype’s full wideband voice capabilities.


• Multi-functional capabilities – In addition to the Skype phone capabilities, the Polycom USB Communicator can also be used as a high-fidelity speaker (up to 22 kHz) for other PC applications, including audio presentations, music, games, etc. It also has a built-in stereo headset port for private conversations.


• Freedom from a headset – Users can hold high quality Skype calls without the hassle of a being connected via a headset cable or having a device against or in their ear.


• Convenient call function buttons – With deep integration to the Skype application, the Polycom Communicator features convenient buttons enabling users to easily launch Skype on their computer and control volume, mute, and pick-up and hang-up calls.


• Portable, compact design - About the size of a PDA, the speakerphone connects to a computer via an integrated USB cable which also provides power; no batteries or additional power sources are required The USB cable conveniently stores within the device. The small size and carrying case makes the Polycom Communicator easy to transport between home, office and on the road.

Polycom also offers a Computer Calling Kit option for its SoundStation2™ and SoundStation2W™ conference phones, enabling those phones to work with Skype. For more information about Polycom Communicator, visit the Polycom website at www.polycom.com/communicator or go to http://www.podtech.net/?p=552 to listen to a podcast from Jim Kruger, vice president of marketing, Polycom voice communications.

Skype for Business, available now at skype.biz , makes it easy for companies to use Skype and find valuable resources to easily manage communications, reduce costs, maximize security and improve productivity. Skype for Business includes the Skype for Business Web site, a resource dedicated to business support, and the Skype for Business Control Panel (formerly named Skype Groups) to simplify management of grouped users and pre-paid services. Skype for Business is especially effective for companies with fewer than 10 employees, a market represented by more than 50 percent of businesses already using Skype.

Pricing and Availability

The Polycom Communicator will be available worldwide within 60 days through Polycom certified channel partners and through the online Skype store at skype.com/store for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of US$129 (North America). Regional pricing may vary.

Polycom reserves the right to modify future product plans at any time. Products and/or related specifications referenced in this press release are not guaranteed, and will be delivered on a when and if available basis.

About Skype

Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free between the users of Skype software. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.

Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling.

About Polycom

Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations by integrating the broadest array of video, voice, data and Web solutions to deliver the ultimate communications experience. Polycom’s high quality, standards-based conferencing and collaboration solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony and presence-based networks. With its market driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage in real-time communications and collaboration. For additional information call 1-800-POLYCOM (765-9266) or +1-408-526-9000, or visit the Polycom website at www.polycom.com.

Polycom, the Polycom and SoundStation are registered trademarks and SoundStation2, SoundStation2W, Acoustic Clarity Technology and Polycom Communicator are trademarks of Polycom in the U.S. and various countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2006, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.

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