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March 2007

Skype Relaunches Expanded Online Store For U.S. Users

March 15, 2007

Online Channel Provides Easier Access to Skype Certified Hardware for Enhanced Skype User Experience

SAN JOSE, CA, March 15, 2007 – Skype, the global Internet communications company, today is relaunching its online Skype Shop (skype.com/shop) in the United States to offer Skype Certified™ devices and accessories that can be used to enhance consumers’ Skype user experience. This is the first of several steps around the world that Skype will be taking to improve access to Skype’s paid-for services and its partners’ hardware.

Skype has teamed up with Digital River, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRIV), a global leader in e-commerce outsourcing, to create a fresh new look and feel for the Skype Shop, which now features the ability to search by product or to browse by category. Digital River is also providing order management and fulfillment and 24x7 customer service for the new online store.

In conjunction with the relaunch, a broader selection of devices and accessories is now available in the Skype Shop, including plug-in and cordless phones (some that can be used without a computer), plug-in and cordless headsets, webcams, speakerphones, and WiFi phones. One particularly unique and popular package that Skype is reintroducing includes everything you need to make Internet calls: the sleek SMC WiFi Phone for Skype (WSKP100), FON’s “La Fonera” wireless router, 500 minutes of SkypeOut™ credit and Skype Voicemail for a year. Priced at just $159.99, this is a stylish and practical platform that makes it easy to enjoy Internet calls without any need for a PC (skype.com/go/smcwifi). Moving forward, additional exclusive product bundles will be made available only online through the Skype Shop.

“Skype Certified hardware enhances a Skype user’s experience by broadening how and where they use Skype. Our goal in relaunching the Skype Shop is to make our online store the best and most convenient place for Skype users in the U.S. to purchase these devices and accessories,” said Dave Beckwith, Director, Skype Global Stores. “It also provides an authorized sales channel for our growing ecosystem of Skype partners that have developed more than 160 different products with which our growing user community can experience Skype at home, at work and on the move – either with or without a PC.”

A new guided recommendation engine is also now available to help users find the most appropriate Skype devices and accessories based on how they actually use Skype. Lists of new and best selling products are also made available to help guide shoppers in their buying decision.

To celebrate the relaunch of the Skype Shop in the US, Skype is offering free shipping on orders of $80 or more. In addition, discounts and mail-in rebates on some of the hardware available through the store are being offered for a limited time, including:


  • $30 off the Logitech® QuickCam® Pro 5000 (regular price: $79.99);

  • $10 off the Logitech® Premium USB Headset 350 (regular price: 49.95);

  • $50 mail-in rebate, plus an additional discount, on the NETGEAR Skype WiFi Phone (SPH101) (regular price: $229.99);

  • $20 mail-in rebate, plus an additional discount, on the NETGEAR Dual-Mode Cordless Phone with Skype (SPH200D) (regular price: $169.99); and

  • $10 off on the D-Link DPH-50U Skype USB Phone Adaptor (regular price: $59.99).

People looking to purchase these or other Skype Certified devices, accessories and bundles that provide everything a Skype user needs to set their conversations free at home, at work or on the go should visit the new Skype Shop online at skype.com/shop.

About Skype

Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing unlimited free voice, video and instant messaging communication between users of Skype Software. With over 171 million registered users, Skype is available in 28 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. Visit Skype at www.skype.com.

Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required for Skype and all Skype Certified devices and accessories. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service 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.

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Celebrating 500m Downloads, Skype Has Offers, Goodies, Up Its Sleeve

LUXEMBOURG, March 15, 2007 - Days after Skype announced that its wildly popular internet communication software has been downloaded more than 500 million times worldwide, the company is introducing new devices, accessories and affordable internet-phone packages that improve the Skype™ experience for consumers and small business users regardless of where they’re located – at home, at work or on the move.

To mark the 500m milestone, the company is inviting its users to try out Skype calls on a new breed of friendly devices that don’t even need a computer. To make it easy, we’ve created three internet-phone packages that contain everything a user needs to enjoy Skype calls without having to turn on the PC (or to download any software):

• SMC package: SMC WiFi Phone, FON WiFi router, up to eight hours of SkypeOut™ calling credit, 12 months of Skype Voicemail. Make Skype calls from any open wireless hotspot and forget the computer. Available for just €139/£99/$159.

• Philips package: buy the Philips VoIP841 cordless dual phone and get a free Philips VoIP080 corded USB travel phone, plus up to eight hours of SkypeOut calling credit. Make Skype and landline calls from the same cordless phone at home or at work, and take the USB handset with you when you travel. Available for just €179/£129.

• RTX package: RTX DUALphone 3088, up to five hours of SkypeOut calling credit. Make Skype and landline calls from the same phone, with no need for a PC. Available for just €139/£95.

All three packages are available exclusively from the Skype web shop (skype.com/shop) to users in Austria, France, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. Consumers in the United States may purchase the SMC WiFi phone package. To use Skype broadband internet connection is needed.

Free Delivery on Purchases Over €80 and US$80

On top of the already attractively priced packages, European and U.S. customers can enjoy free ground shipping if they spend over €80 or US$80, respectively, in their local Skype web shop, in one transaction. This offer is valid for four weeks only, so it pays to buy from skype.com/shop, the place with the largest selection of Skype Certified™ devices and accessories.

For those not sure how a product stacks up, Skype’s hardware team runs Skype Gear, the definitive source of news, reviews and deep thoughts on Skype-related partner hardware. Find it at skype.com/gear.

New Devices and Accessories

Ireland-based Futiro is announcing the global availability of three new Skype Certified USB phones that work with any good Windows-based USB-equipped laptop or desktop computer. Design is at the center of the company’s approach and it’s evident in the sleek black lines of the new range, available at skype.com/shop. Futiro Solo is a palm-sized portable USB phone with an attractive zip wallet that fits easily into a laptop case or your inside pocket. The Solo features a unique cable-management system that complements its sleek lines. Elegant to the bone, Futiro Luna easily integrates with Skype and its hands-free feature allows you to conference call or use your keypad while you talk. The third handset, Futiro Terra, has clean lines and spartan four-button design.

Meanwhile, at CeBIT today, Linksys has announced the availability of the newest member of its iPhone® range to Skype users in Europe. The CIT400 is a cordless dual phone that allows both regular landline calls and Skype calls in the same device. It is equipped with a color display, high-quality sound, hands-free functionality and automatic Skype updates. The base station can be expanded to support up to four handsets. Already making waves in the US, this device is now also available in Europe (except the UK). Read about Skype Gear’s exclusive roadtest of the CIT400 here: http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2007/02/skypegear_roadtest_linksys_cit.html

About 25 percent of all Skype users have made a video call. For them, USRobotics is introducing a new sleek USR Mini Cam for Skype. The flexible and powerful webcam works with both PCs and Macs, features true 1.3 megapixel capture capability and full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second. Great light sensitivity and wide-angle viewing make this an ideal camera for desktop or laptop video calls. A headset is also included for better voice transmission and reception. Now also available in the Skype web shop.

European retail initiative

The Mini Cam joins the more than 160 other Skype Certified products now available through the Skype web shop and electronics retailers. To make it even easier for European consumers to connect to the more than 171 million Skype users worldwide, Skype is announcing a new distribution and retail partnership initiative to expand the retail presence of Skype Certified products in Europe. Spearheading the initiative is a partnership with TX - Think Xtra, a European retail-solutions provider for Skype Certified products. The new initiative will give over 700 major European retailers better access to a wide range of these products. The selection will include entry-level products designed for new Skype users and premium products designed for experienced users.


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About Skype

Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing unlimited free voice, video and instant-messaging communication between users of Skype software. With over 171 million registered users, Skype is available in 28 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 traditional telephone service 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.

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Skype Goes Beyond Voice And Introduces SkypeFind And Beta Version of Skype Prime

March 14, 2007

LUXEMBOURG, 14th March, 2007 – Skype today announced Skype™ 3.1 for Windows, introducing SkypeFindTM and Skype PrimeTM (Beta), giving people new ways to share knowledge with one another. These new additions take Skype beyond simple voice and video calls into new markets where access to expertise and knowledge are essential commodities.

In less than four years, Skype has become a vibrant community of over 171 million registered users worldwide. SkypeFind is the latest in a series of features that give people more to do and share online. It marks a new wave in Internet communications that goes far beyond just talking or chatting.

Designed to be a community-generated guide, SkypeFind lets users rate, review and log their favourite businesses no matter where they live. Since launching in Beta three weeks ago, SkypeFind has attracted more than 4500 listings in over 124 countries and expects these listings to increase to over a million by the end of the year.

According to a recent report from Forrester Research, more than one quarter of online consumers have submitted a rating or review of a product or service or contributed to a discussion board (“Leveraging User-Generated Content,” Brian Haven, January 25, 2007).

Sten Tamkivi, general manager of eCommerce for Skype says, “SkypeFind brings the global community to your doorstep. Skype users love sharing knowledge with one another because it is so liberating and empowering. SkypeFind is also so easy to use – even if you’re abroad. If you’re traveling in France and you want to find a great restaurant, just log onto Skype, click on SkypeFind and you have recommendations you can trust, direct from the Skype community.”

Also launched today is the Beta release of Skype Prime – a new marketplace which brings together those people who have expertise or knowledge to sell with others who are seeking advice and happy to pay for it. Skype was built from the ground up and Skype Prime is no exception and is in the very early stages of its lifecycle.

Currently in its beta test phase, Skype Prime is reliant on how people and small businesses sell and share their expertise and knowledge on Skype. User feedback has always been a fundamental part of how Skype has evolved as a product and equally, a part of its popularity.

Giving millions of people and small businesses the opportunity to charge for their expertise, Skype Prime is a new direction for the company. Skype Prime offers Skype users the chance to make money and reach potential customers all over the world provided they are using Skype 3.1 for Windows. It is easy to set up and you can determine your own per minute or one-off fees. Skype Prime fees are paid using PayPal and subject to a 30% charge by Skype for using the Skype Prime service.

Tamkivi adds that Skype Prime “is all about making the world a smaller place. If you are a financial advisor or astrologer, a sports coach or a tutor and you want to sell your expertise online, Skype Prime opens up a whole new market by letting you sell your knowledge to Skype’s global community.”

Skype’s popularity originates in letting people make free Skype calls over the Internet. As the world’s largest Internet communications community, Skype is committed to giving its users the ability to set their conversations free at home, at work and on the move.

Skype is focused on further developing its ecosystem of more than 50 hardware partners and more than 160 Skype Certified™ devices to broaden the appeal of Skype to a wider base of users who want to use Skype away from the PC, no matter where they happen to be. This is especially true for Skype users who want to take advantage of the mobile Skype experience, which is already accessible to more than 5 million Skype users on over 120 different Windows Mobile® Smartphones and Pocket PC devices.

About SkypeFind
SkypeFind is a new, user-generated guide that lets the Skype community share, rate and review businesses – from car dealerships to flower shops to hair salons to restaurants – worldwide. To add a recommended business, simply click on the SkypeFind tab and add your review and rating. To search for a business, simply select the country you wish to search in, enter the type of business you are looking for and then click on search. Should you wish to call the business you’ve found, simply select the green call button and a SkypeOut™ call will be immediately placed. Initially, SkypeFind will not allow for paid-for listings.

About Skype Prime
Skype Prime is a new way for people to sell their expertise, answers and advice anytime and anywhere to other Skype users who are seeking this knowledge, entertainment or skill and are happy to pay for it. Skype Prime is very straightforward to use. It consists of Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls and includes a convenient payment feature. People using Skype Prime to sell their knowledge or expertise can charge for their advice once the Skype user has confirmed they will pay the relevant fee.

About Skype
Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing unlimited free voice, video and instant messaging communication between users of Skype Software. With over 171 million registered users, Skype is available in 28 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 at www.skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required for Skype and all Skype Certified devices and accessories. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service 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.

Link

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