June 2006

eBay.co.uk brings Skype onto site, making it easier for buyers and sellers to communicate

eBay.co.uk, the world’s favourite online marketplace, is introducing Skype™ functionality to its listings, making it even easier for buyers and sellers to communicate with each other. The new service will let sellers add Skype functions including free internet voice calls and instant messaging to their listings across a range of categories.

Sellers will be able to include a “Skype Me™” button on the eBay.co.uk listings page that buyers see. By clicking the button, buyers will be able to talk to sellers or use Skype instant messenger at no cost to ask about items and discuss deliveries or postage.

The pilot programme will start from mid-July 2006 and will be trialled in categories including art, antiques, stamps, coins, pottery & glass, sports memorabilia, real estate, baby products, musical instruments, and audio consumer electronics.

The categories have been selected for the difference using Skype will make to the ease of transactions, whether there are high selling prices, complex products or categories in which buyers may need extra details about the items for sale.

“This is a really exciting area of integration for Skype and eBay and will make it even easier for buyers and sellers to communicate,” said, eBay spokesman Richard Ambrose. “We expect it will reassure buyers while dramatically increasing both the number and value of sales.”

“Good communication is at the heart of smooth e-commerce transactions,” said Alistair Shrimpton, UK Manager, Skype. “And Skype is looking forward to taking its first steps into this exciting market. We expect our free communication tools will enhance the user experience on eBay and make it an even better place to trade.”

The introduction of Skype to eBay.co.uk follows extensive research amongst buyers and sellers. Sellers felt the opportunity to communicate more with buyers and share information about their products would smooth the purchase process. Buyers agreed the service would help them learn more about both seller and product.

“With the introduction of Skype, we are making it easy – and free – for our community to connect with one another,” said Dan Wilson, eBay.co.uk community manager. “Getting information about complex items will now be quick and easy. However, for many of the other 15 million eBay.co.uk users, we also think it will help bring together like-minded collectors and enthusiasts, further cementing the community feel for the site.”

About eBay Founded in 1995, eBay pioneers communities built on commerce, sustained by trust, and inspired by opportunity. eBay enables ecommerce on a local, national and international basis with an array of websites – including the eBay Marketplace, PayPal, Skype, Kijiji, Rent.com, Shopping.com – that bring together millions of buyers and sellers every day.

• eBay.co.uk hit the 15 million users milestone in April 2006.
• eBay.co.uk has achieved the ten million live listings landmark, meaning there are more than ten million items for sale on the site at any one time.

The number of eBay.co.uk's Unique visitors reached 11.7 million in March 2006*. eBay.co.uk's reach was 43.3% in March 2006* (reach is the % of all active internet users within that month that visited eBay.co.uk). * Nielsen Net Ratings, March 2006

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, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. 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

- Built-in Webcam With One-Touch Skype Calling Button
- Preloaded With Skype Software
- High-Performance Intel Dual-Core Processor

LUXEMBOURG & PARIS, June 21st 2006, Packard Bell, one of the leading home PC brands in Europe, and Skype, the global communications company, today announced the launch of the world’s first notebook computer to feature a one-touch Skype calling button.

Thanks to its functional design and affordable price, the Packard Bell EasyNote Skype Edition notebook makes Skype more accessible and even easier to use. Answering and placing Skype calls is now as easy as using a traditional phone, with all the added benefits of things like video calling, instant messaging and group calling.

The Skype calling button is located next to the integrated webcam on the upper bevel of the 14-inch widescreen display. By pressing the button the user can answer incoming calls or open the Skype application to make a call. The notebook was also designed to be optimized with Intel dual-core processors. The EasyNote Skype Edition features built-in broadband and wireless connectivity, and an original Packard Bell design. Pre-loaded Skype software and the Skype button are just a couple of the many features available on this innovative notebook.

“Our vision is to make products that are easier to use through innovation and design,” said Aymar de-Lencquesaing, CEO of Packard Bell. “We share this vision with Skype and our EasyNote Skype Edition is a major milestone in our partnership. We are thrilled to announce this future bestseller today, together with Skype.”

“This innovative design by Packard Bell provides the Skype community with an even easier way to keep in touch with family and friends, furthering our ambition to enable the world’s conversations,” said Niklas Zennström, CEO and Founder of Skype. “Packard Bell is a valuable strategic partner that has contributed to our growth in Europe; it’s a brand that has a stronghold on consumers across Europe.”

Packard Bell and Skype began their strategic partnership two years ago when Packard Bell was one of the first computer makers to pre-load the Skype software on its PCs. It was an important move for Skype, as it boosted its ability to reach a large consumer audience by associating itself with one of Europe’s most popular and trusted consumer PC brands.

EasyNote Skype Edition – Availability & Pricing
The Packard Bell EasyNote Skype Edition will be available in European retail outlets from August, starting at an estimated street price of €899. Availability varies according to country.

About Packard Bell
Operating in Europe since 1991, Packard Bell is the number one home PC brand in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK (Source: IDC – January 2005). As consumers have become more tech savvy and discerning, and the world of personal computers and home electronics have converged, Packard Bell has continued to extend its brand and expand its range of products, which today includes leading-edge desktops, notebooks and digital entertainment solutions (MP3 players, video players/recorders, home networking, flat-panel TVs, GPS and storage). Packard Bell’s unswerving dedication to the consumer market is embodied in its recognised ability to anticipate and meet the ever-changing users’ needs.

For more information, please visit : http://www.packardbell.com

Photo gallery available at: http://www.packardbell.com/pressroom/photogallery.htm

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, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. 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.

All brands are the property of their respective owners. All prices are given as information only and include VAT.

Link

ANKARA, June 14, 2006 - Skype, the global internet communications company, has boosted its presence in the Turkish market by partnering with local Internet services firm e-kolay.net. Dubbed e-kolay-Skype, the new offering combines Skype’s free Internet calling and premium features with e-kolay’s popular news and entertainment services to reach a potential audience of millions of Turkish-speakers worldwide.

Skype is available worldwide and with Dogan is targeting the Internet-savvy Turkish market to expand its presence. In addition to free voice and video calls, Turkish Skype users can now purchase SkypeOut credit via the e-kolay.net website or through Dogan’s ARAKart to make cheap calls to landlines and mobile phones. Moreover, they can check out the latest news, football scores and celebrity mishaps from within the Skype application.

“Turkey’s Internet community has exploded in the past few years and now numbers more than 10 million people,” said James Bilefield, Skype’s General Manager in Europe. “We think they’ll like what Skype can do for them. With e-kolay, we’re able to target Turkish speakers all over the world and grow our user base in that community. Our free calls and low-cost SkypeOut features will make it much easier for to keep in touch with family and friends in Turkey and the world over.”

“It’s a big world out there, but with nearly 75 million people, Turkey is glad to have Skype’s attention,” said Orhan Göksal, CEO of Doğan Online, which is part of Doğan Media Group, e-kolay’s parent company. “I’m sure the Turkish Internet community will find Skype a great offering. People will enjoy the fact that it’s “free” to make Skype to Skype calls, or very inexpensive, when using SkypeOut to call landlines and mobiles, or to send SMS text messages.”

To become a Skype user, visit www.e-kolay.net/skype to sign up. The first 100,000 people will get a surprise gift from e-kolay. Once you’re all set, you can talk to other Skype users anywhere for as long as you like, for free.

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 e-kolay.net
Founded in 1999 within Doğan Media Group, e-kolay.net provides news, entertainment and other Internet services to consumers and business customers alike. e-kolay.net has 240,000 subscribers and a diverse portfolio of corporate clients. e-kolay.net reaches users via channels such as Mahmure.com, fanatik.com.tr, e-kolay.net Cinema, and e-kolay.net City Guide, as well as e-commerce sites such as gezisitesi.com, bigpara.com, and HemAlHemSat.com.

About Doğan Telekom
Doğan Telekom, operating under Doğan Media Holding umbrella, received A-type Long Distance Phone Services after the voice transfer and telephone services were liberalized as of January 1st, 2004. With its robust infrastructure, the company offers a high-quality alternative to current telephone services. Doğan Telekom aims to make life easier for individuals and to be the leader of the industry by providing affordable and high-quality international calls thanks to its high availability.

Link

3500 developers are in the Skype Developers Program; more than 300 software and 100 Skype Certified hardware products developed on the Skype API

LAS VEGAS, June 12, 2006 – Skype, the global Internet communications company, today celebrates the first anniversary of its Skype Developers Program. In a year, the program has attracted more than 3,500 developers worldwide to create applications that work with Skype.

Designed to encourage and support innovative development on the Skype Application Protocol Interface (API), the Skype Developers Program has led to hundreds of products. The initiative helps drive the growth of the Skype ecosystem and helps extend the range of products and features that people enjoy. Moreover, the program has opened new ways for developers to turn their passion into an attractive source of income.

Skype’s API – available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux – is free for anyone to use and develop both commercial and non-commercial applications. In the past year, the program has supported the creation of more than 300 software applications and over 100 Skype Certified hardware products.

In the coming year, Skype will focus on growing the program further by providing additional support to the developer community, particularly in North America.

Skype believes in working closely with its developers to spur innovative integration with Skype. In response to developer feedback, Skype will work over the next year to enable deeper integration. Skype is particularly interested in:

• New APIs, covering the areas of SMS, voice access, call transfer, plug-in, COM4Web and Skypecasts.

• Access to Skype’s 100 million member community with third-party application search, trial and purchase functionality within Skype software

• Closer integration with Skype software via a user interface plug-in framework

“The Skype Developers Program has been extremely successful and we’ve seen some excellent ideas that benefit our users,” said Lenn Pryor, head of Skype Developers Program. Now, with more than 100 million registered users in the Skype community, our developers can tap into this market to build successful businesses and help increase profits.”

Skype offers a variety of tools and resources for members of its Developers Program, including:

• The Skype API, which allows developers to build applications and bring them to market quickly, including a managed code wrapper for COM and ActiveX controls to enable developers to quickly and easily build Skype enabled applications.

• A Developer Zone Web site for access to tools, sample code, technical documentation, release notes, technical support and more.

• Member Forums, which enable online discussions with other members of the Skype developer community.

• Certification program to certify products to ensure they’re give your users an optimal experience when using Skype. Becoming a Skype certified partner helps businesses to easily target mass market and provides companies good association with the Skype brand.

The Skype Developers Program has a broad range of application developers who include individuals, merchants and service providers, as well as independent, commercial and enterprise software vendors. Members are creating a wide variety of solutions and products. Examples include:

• Tellme – a provider of Internet-based voice services, developed the first consumer voice applications to use IP infrastructure for both the transport provided by Skype and content (VoiceXML) powered by Tellme. The applications run on Tellme’s network and can be found by visiting the Skype Developer Zone at share.skype.com/directory/voice_services/.

• Salesforce.com [NYSE: CRM], the market and technology leader in on-demand business services, has created a Skype-Salesforce integration - available for free - that will voice-enable all of the more than 250 applications on the AppExchange. Customers have the ability to integrate and deploy Skype along with any number of other on-demand applications via the AppExchange to an existing Salesforce implementation. AppExchange can be found at http://www.appexchange.com.

• Vapps – a global supplier of VoIP conference call solutions, Vapps recently announced an initiative to provide unlimited, free conference calling for up to 500 participants to Skype’s 100 million registered users through Highspeedconferencing.com.

About the Skype Developer Program

In mid-2005, the Skype Developers Program was founded to provide third party developers with access to the API and enable them to build their own applications for Skype. The API is available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, and is free to use to develop both commercial and non-commercial applications. As of Q1 2006, there are approximately 3,500 Skype software developers, who have built more than 300 third-party software applications. These developers are creating a new generation of innovative third-party solutions to enhance the Skype user experience.

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, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. 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

**NEW YORK, NY, June 6, 2006** – Comverse, a subsidiary of Comverse Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMVT), the world's leading supplier of software and systems enabling network-based multimedia enhanced communication and billing services, and Skype™, the global Internet communications company, today announced Skype Klonies™, an innovative avatar service that lets users personalize Skype with special characters that reflect their personalities, moods and interests.

Using the Klonies Studio in the Skype website, users can create and frequently update their unique Klonie image — changing hairstyles, clothing and accessories, expressions, locations, animated activities and more. Klonies appear as the Skype Caller ID on the screen of the called party, representing how the user would like to be seen, and reflecting the user's appearance, interests, and feelings. As part of the launch and as the world’s attention turns to soccer, a special “Football Mania” content catalogue has been created, which will allow users to dress their Klonies in fans’ clothing and accessories, perform the well-known ola wave in the football stadium, and much more.

“Recent surveys we conducted show that personalization capabilities are important to the Skype community," said Saul Klein, VP Marketing, Skype. "Avatars are a key component of the Skype personalization strategy. Klonies are debuting on the Skype site and launching with a “Football Mania” section offering fun and topical content to everyone on Skype.”

"We believe that Klonies will be popular among Skype users, and will enhance Skype’s reputation as an industry innovator," said Zeev Bregman, Chief Executive Officer at Comverse. “In addition, the Skype Klonies will be valuable for Skype in the mold of other personalization services, such as the ringtone and wallpaper market.”

To visit Klonies on Skype go to [http://skype.klonies.com](http://skype.klonies.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, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. 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 Comverse**

Comverse, a subsidiary of Comverse Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMVT), is the world’s leading provider of software and systems enabling network-based multimedia enhanced communication and billing services. The company's Total CommunicationSM portfolio includes value-added messaging, personalized data and content-based services, and real-time converged billing solutions. Over 450 communication and content service providers in more than 120 countries use Comverse products to generate revenues, strengthen customer loyalty and improve operational efficiency. For additional information, visit the Comverse website at www.comverse.com or the Comverse Technology website at www.cmvt.com.

_All product and company names mentioned herein may be registered trademarks or trademarks of Comverse or the respective referenced company(s)._

Link

New Dell XPS Mobile Systems can be configured with Skype; Free Internet Voice and Video Calling with Other Skype Users

LUXEMBOURG, May 31, 2006 –Skype and Dell have teamed up to make it easy to stay in touch. Today, Skype, the global Internet communications company, announced an agreement with Dell, the world’s largest maker of personal computers, to ship Skype™ software with new Dell™ XPS™ mobile systems – the XPS M1210 and XPS M2010.

The agreement will allow Dell to provide its customers with easy access to Skype’s voice and video Internet calling software. Dell will be able to pre-load Skype on the XPS 2010, a unique mobile entertainment system featuring a 20.1-inch high-definition display with integrated webcam. The XPS 1210 can be configured with Skype as part of an optional audio-video communications package that also includes an integrated rotating webcam, noise-isolation earbuds and mobile broadband capability.

“As the leading notebook supplier, Dell is committed to delivering cutting-edge technology that provides voice and video connectivity virtually anywhere," said Brett Faulk, worldwide marketing director, consumer notebooks. “Teaming with Skype, the trend setter in Internet communications, will provide our customers the very best experience when reaching out and staying in touch with friends and family around the world.”

“Dell customers will be able to experience the benefits of Skype, optimized for their computing environment. This gives Dell customers a simple way to use the Internet to talk to their friends and family from home, in the office or on-the-go,” said Don Albert, Director of Business Development, Skype North America. “Dell represents a new distribution channel for Skype. New products from Dell will complement the breadth of hardware designed for the convenience of Skype callers.”

With Skype, customers can talk for as long as they like with other Skype customers across the world without worrying about the cost or the distance of the call. Unveiled today, the Dell XPS M1210 and M2010 are available immediately 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, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. 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