Luxembourg, Tuesday 3rd April 2007, Skype is opening up calling to premium rate PSTN numbers in the UK. Driven by consumer demand, Skype is making premium UK 09 per minute priced numbers available to its 171 million registered users across the world.
Premium-rate numbers are used by a wide variety of businesses in the information, professional, advisory, counselling and entertainment spaces. The 09 series is particularly popular with the likes of purchasing mobile ringtones and advisory lines such as love, relationships and astrology.
When calling on Skype, UK Premium rate number prices are as follows:
Bands excl. VAT incl. VAT
Band 1 £0.25 £0.29
Band 2 £0.50 £0.58
Band 3 £0.75 £0.86
Band 4 £1.25 £1.44
Band 5 £1.50 £1.73
The band rating is dependent on the rates determined by the originating service provider.
Note to editors: Users can check which price applies to each number on Skype’s homepage:
http://www.skype.com/go/rates-premium
Billing starts from the first second onwards and customers are charged for the first minute as soon as the call is logged. Voice prompts will be introduced shortly for all calls to UK premium numbers to remind users that calls to 09 numbers are usually more expensive than calls to regular landline and mobile phone numbers.
Skype is only opening access to UK premium numbers. Should users wish to block access to these numbers from their Skype account, this is simply done through the ‘My Account’ page.
Service providers who provide the content and services available through 09 numbers in the UK are regulated by the UK Premium Rate Services Regulator ICSTIS (www.icstis.org.uk).
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 over 28 languages and 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 extras. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
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.
