September 2006

GE Dual-Mode DECT 6.0™ Wireless Handset for Skype Enables Easy Internet
and Traditional Line Calls and Conferencing

INDIANAPOLIS, September 20, 2006 – Thomson, (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) the leader of telecoms solutions serving end-user needs and Skype, the global Internet communications company, are teaming up to optimize and deliver an extended family of consumer products. The initial result of the companies’ joint efforts is the GE DECT 6.0™ (Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology) Wireless Handset, Thomson’s first product with integrated Skype™ capabilities. The new device, GE Model 28300EE2, delivers high quality, interference-free signals, enabling both landline and Skype calling, as well as Internet and traditional line conferencing. The Skype Certified™ DECT Wireless Handset for Skype will be available this fall at a suggested retail price of $149.

“Now consumers can seamlessly integrate Skype Internet calling convenience into their daily lifestyle, switching effortlessly between traditional land-line and Internet calls,” said Tom Bratton, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Thomson Consumer Network Solutions. “And since the system is expandable to up to six handsets, you can now easily have cordless interference-free DECT 6.0 wireless handsets for Skype in every room of the house!”

DECT 6.0 is a powerful technology built into Thomson’s new wireless handset offerings, delivering interference free calling with exceptional voice quality. DECT 6.0 permits delivery of calls without the static, pops, hiss and buzz which severely hinder the performance of most wireless home and small office telephones. Widely used throughout Europe and Asia, DECT 6.0 solves many of the most common consumer complaints in the use of cordless telephones.

Designed for Convenience

The GE 28300EE2 features speakerphone capability built right into the handset. Its color LCD screen makes for easy viewing of colorful Skype messaging as well as regular caller IDs. The handset comes with a 100 name capacity address book, including separate call “logs” for traditional and Internet contacts. Melody ring tones permit easy sonic identification of favorite incoming callers such as friends and relatives. Hearing aid compatibility rounds out its broad appeal. The new GE DECT 6.0 Wireless Handset for Skype uses power management technology and boasts up to 120 hour standby time and 10 hour talk time.

“The fact that one of the top telephony providers in the world is offering a handset specifically designed for Skype is an incredible testimony and validation of the global popularity of Internet voice communications,” said Stefan Öberg, General Manager, Desktop and Hardware at Skype.
“The Thomson handset for Skype is as simple and familiar as a traditional phone, making it even easier for consumers to join the 113 million people already connecting with family and friends through Skype anywhere in the world for free.”

Premium Skype features, including SkypeOutTM for inexpensive international calls to traditional landlines and mobile phones, SkypeInTM to receive calls from landline or mobile phones on Skype, and Skype Voicemail will all be easily accessible through the handset.

Other key features of the GE 28300EE2 DECT 6.0 Wireless Handset for Skype include:

• PC compatibility
• Call waiting support
• Easy one-touch link for powerful wireless home networking capabilities
• No signal deterioration -- digital signal processors ensure high call quality even when multiple handsets are running simultaneously
• Voice encryption for high security
• Skype & land-line conferencing capability of up to four users simultaneously from the handset (great for bridging long-distance family and friends!)
• Comes with two handsets (and additional accessory handsets, GE 28301EE1, are available)
• USB PC connectivity and software
• Mute / hold button
• Intercom function
• Integrated Skype caller ID (and support for traditional phone company caller ID services)
• Ringer off -on switch
• Convenient four-way navigation button for screen
• Headset jack

For more information about Thomson’s new line of GE Wireless Handsets for Skype, visit www.ge.com/phones. The device will be available for purchase in the Skype store online at www.skype.com.

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Cross Platform Support lets Mac and Windows Users see each other with free video calls

LUXEMBOURG, September 13, 2006 - Skype, the global Internet communications company, has released the beta version of its popular communications software, Skype for Mac 2.0, which gives any Mac user with an Internet connection the ability to make free video calls to anyone else on Skype™ regardless of whether they use the Windows or Mac platform. Skype’s new cross platform support allows its extensive international community of more than 113 million users to make free video calls to people across the globe using both Windows and Macintosh computers.

Mac users can now enjoy one-on-one video calls, viewed within the Skype window or on the full computer screen. Skype video for Mac also includes a small window for users to view how they appear to the person they are calling. Connecting seamlessly across Windows and Mac operating systems, Skype for Mac with video offers users free, high-quality video calling regardless of platform. This means that, for the first time ever, Mac users can connect with and view friends, family and colleagues using Windows without downloading any additional software.

“Skype’s goal is to make Internet calling streamlined and simple for everyone by providing innovative features and an intuitive design,” said Stefan Öberg, director of product management for Skype. “Our community is made up of both Mac and Windows users. We couldn’t be more excited to bring these two groups together, literally face-to-face.”

With Skype for Mac 2.0 users enjoy completely free calls to other Skype users, no matter where they are. Calls to traditional and mobile phones can be made at extremely low rates.

With Skype for Mac, students can stay connected with their parents while they are away at school or studying abroad; grandparents can watch their grandchildren grow before their eyes with easy to use video calling and business travelers can keep in touch with colleagues and save on calls home while away.

In order to make video calls Skype for Mac OS X 2.0 requires a Macintosh computer with Mac OS X v10.3.9 Panther or newer, a G4, G5, or Intel processor running at a minimum of 800 MHz, 512 MB RAM, 40 MB free disk space, and an Internet connection. In addition to the release of Skype for Mac OS X 2.0, Skype announced today the release of Skype for Mac OS X 1.5 Gold.

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Paris, September 7, 2006 - Skype, the global Internet communications company, announced today that all French-based Skype™ users with a broadband internet connection can make unlimited SkypeOut™ calls to landlines in France for free. This offer is valid in France from September 7 to December 31 2006.

Previously, French-based Skype users were required to pay for all SkypeOut calls from their PCs to traditional landlines. Skype is offering all French-based people the chance to call their friends and family on landlines in France, for free. Calls from one Skype software account to another across the world, remain completely free.
Skype has now significantly lowered the cost barrier for its French customers wanting to keep in touch with friends, family and business associates. Skype anticipates that free calling to all landlines in France will expand Skype’s increasing penetration into the French market.

"At Skype, we remain faithful to our desire to innovate and revolutionise the world of communications" said Jerome Archambeaud, French Market Development Manager for Skype. " French consumers will have the opportunity to make free, unlimited calls to landline phones across the entire French population – that’s a total of 60 million people. All you need is broadband connection and a Skype account. "

After the huge success of a similar initiative for Skype users based in North America in May this year, France is the first European country where Skype has launched free internet calling.
There are over 113 million Skype users today and when coupled with the soaring growth of worldwide broadband penetration which has reached 62% (Source: Ipsos-Insight) internet calling is rapidly becoming the communications medium of choice.

Aside from making free calls to all landlines in France, SkypeOut remains unchanged to French-based Skype users who can purchase credit to call mobiles and international phone numbers at very competitive rates.
Skype is accessible through any of the following platforms: PC, Mac, Pocket PC, Linux, and the new WiFi and DECT phones. To download Skype, go to www.skype.com.

About Skype

Skype is the world's fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing unlimited free voice and video communication between Skyp
e users. 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.

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NEW YORK, N.Y, and SAN JOSE, CALIF. (September 1, 2006) – The world leader in consumer cordless phones, Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC), is working to develop a Panasonic Wi-Fi phone for use with Skype. This is the first Wi-Fi product in a series of planned products for use with Skype’s service. With this new product, consumers will be able to make and receive Skype™ calls to Skype users from Wi-Fi Access points in the home, office or elsewhere.

“This new Wi-Fi phone for use with Skype follows the shift toward Internet calling entering the mainstream consumer market,” said Mike Timar, national marketing manager, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “This exciting product will enable greater flexibility in communications for home and business users.”

The Panasonic Wi-Fi Phone will give consumers access to core Skype features including SkypeOut™, SkypeIn™, Skype Voicemail and call forwarding via the Wi-Fi phone. The Panasonic Wi-Fi Phone is also great for making and receiving calls in free public Wi-Fi access zones that do not require browser authentication. The Panasonic Phone will be Skype Certified™ and is expected be launched in the fourth quarter of 2006 in the United States.

“This Wi-Fi phone from Panasonic marks another milestone in the growing ecosystem of Skype Certified products,” said Don Albert, North America general manager, Skype. “New and exciting product from a major consumer electronics leader like Panasonic enables the expansion of Skype beyond the desktop, and helps us to continue to provide innovative and forward-looking products to our growing consumer base.”

The Skype community has grown to more than 113 million people in almost every country around the world, and Skyping has become a global phenomenon. Skype enables the world’s conversations, making it easier for people to connect with family, friends and colleagues anywhere in the world.

The Panasonic Wi-Fi phone joins the growing family of Panasonic Voice over IP (VoIP) products, including the recently launched Panasonic KX-TGA575S. The KX-TGA575S USB adaptor is an optional accessory for Panasonic 5.8GHz Digital Expandable Cordless Systems KX-TG5761S, KX-TG5771S, and KX-TG5776S. Using the adaptor with these systems means the user doesn’t have to be in front of a computer. The Skype contact list and call log are available on any of the cordless handsets in the system.

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 Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

About Skype
Skype is the world's fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing unlimited free voice and video communication between Skype users. 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.

Skype, SkypeIn, SkypeOut, Skype Me, Skype Certified, Skypecasts, associated logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.

Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

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