Skype is rolling out calling plans to more than 170 countries that provide customers with a savings of up to 60 percent compared to Skype's standard Pay As You Go rates. Customers will also have more choice with subscription plans available in 60-minute to unlimited packages, and the ability to buy 1-month, 3-month and 12-month calling subscriptions.

Skype's range of subscriptions start from as little as €0.89* ($1.09/£.69) per month and offer effective rates as low as €0.01 ($.01/£.01) per minute to almost any destination around the globe.

UM Labs announces support for Skype for SIP. This means that Organisations can now use the UM Labs SIP Controller to simplify the task of linking their corporate PBX to the Skype for SIP service. Skype for SIP offers a number of compelling benefits, including free inbound calls from any Skype user and low cost local numbers for inbound and outbound calls in over 25 countries. A Skype for SIP link requires that the corporate PBX accepts inbound SIP calls over the Internet. The UM Labs SIP Security controller monitors these calls protecting the corporate PBX from a wide range of security threats, many of which are not blocked by a standard Firewall.

gateProtect released a security patch for its Unified Threat Management appliances that allows companies to block the use of Skype. This gives them a reliable way of stopping dangerous malware from entering the network via a potential security vulnerability, while preventing unwanted messaging and chatting during working hours. The patch, called HU-01050, is available immediately and will be installed automatically on all gateProtect firewall systems from Version 8.6 via the update server.

Verizon Wireless and Skype announced Skype mobile will be available this Thursday, March 25, starting with nine Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones. Skype mobile uses the Verizon Wireless voice network for the wireless connection of the Skype-to-Skype calls, providing Verizon Wireless customers with a superior experience and top-notch call quality.

Beginning Thursday, new and existing Verizon Wireless customers with Android 3G smartphones and BlackBerry 3G smartphones can get Skype mobile in a number of ways. Visit www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile or www.skype.com/go/mobile from a PC to enter the mobile phone number to receive a text message with a link to the application. Verizon Wireless customers can also text “SKYPE” to 2255 to receive the link. In addition, Android customers will be able to download the app from Android Market. New BlackBerry customers will find the application on their 3G smartphones’ home screens in the Downloads folder when activated.

Skype announces it has selected tekVizion Labs as the independent and objective verification and testing service to run the Skype for SIP Interoperability Certification Program. In addition, Skype and tekVizion Labs together announced a number of third-party IP PBX and gateway solutions to have been newly awarded Skype for SIP interoperability certification.

VoSKY announces that its PBX-to-Skype for SIP Gateway, the VoSKY SSG, is the industry’s first gateway to be certified as interoperable with Skype for SIP. Skype for SIP interoperability with the new VoSKY SSG will enable small- and medium-sized businesses to connect their legacy PBX and Key systems to Skype. This way, SMBs can maximize the functionality of their current communications system to reduce communications costs, while also enhancing their business communications by enabling over 520 million Skype registered users to call their organization for free over Skype.

Skype and Nokia jointly announce the release of Skype for Symbian. Skype for Symbian will allow Nokia smartphone users worldwide to use Skype on the move, over either a WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G). It is now downloadable for free from the Ovi Store, Nokia’s one-stop shop for mobile content.

Skype announces that the new Samsung LED 7000 and 8000 series models of 2010 high-definition televisions will feature embedded Skype software allowing Skype users to make video and voice calls through the TVs. Samsung, the global market leader in televisions, will begin shipping TVs with Skype software in the Korean market today, and worldwide in the first half of 2010.

The debut of Samsung’s Skype-enabled televisions reinforces Skype’s commitment to making its video and voice calling capabilities available on a full range of Internet-connected devices, including TVs. Televisions with built-in Skype software were first introduced at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January 2010.

Skype and Verizon Wireless announce a strategic relationship that will bring Skype to Verizon Wireless smartphones in March. The new Skype mobile product enhances Verizon Wireless' smartphones for users who have data plans by offering a new way to call around the globe, while also giving hundreds of millions of Skype users around the world the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and business colleagues in the United States using Verizon Wireless.

SHAPE Services announces the update of its revolutionary IM+ for Skype app for BlackBerry smartphones.The update features absolutely free Skype calls in Wi-Fi zones. The present technology carries out VoIP calls in half-duplex mode, similar to a walkie-talkie.

In addition to free VoIP calls, SHAPE Services has added the support of avatars, contact list grid, new scrollbars and other great features.

Skype has hired David Gurle as the new General Manager and Vice President of its Skype for Business unit. He replaces Stefan Oberg, who will be leaving Skype in March 2010. David brings more than 17 years of telecommunications and collaboration technology industry experience to this role. He joined Skype on January 7, 2010 and reports to Josh Silverman, Skype’s president.

Skype announces support for Skype video calls on PCs in 720p HD, as well as Skype software embedded into Internet-connected widescreen televisions from its consumer electronics manufacturer partners.

High Definition Skype Video Calling

The latest version of Skype for Windows can deliver up to 720p HD-quality video calling at 1280 x 720 resolution, at up to 30 frames per second, giving individuals an even smoother and richer video calling experience. To make an HD video call, users will need a high-speed broadband connection, a new HD webcam, a PC with a 1.8 GHz dual-core processor and Skype 4.2 Beta for Windows.

Skype is opening up the Skype for SIP beta program to allow businesses of all sizes to utilize Skype for SIP with their existing SIP-based PBX or Unified Communications systems. By using Skype for SIP, companies can save money on calls around the world, while also changing how customers globally reach them.

Skype has appointed Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg as Chief Technology Strategist, effective immediately. Reporting to Daniel Berg, Skype’s Chief Technology Officer, Rosenberg will be responsible for shaping and driving the company’s technology strategies and overall architecture to continue delivering a best-in-class Skype experience to users around the world.

eBay announced that the investor group led by Silver Lake, which had previously entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Skype from the company, has reached a settlement agreement with Joltid Limited and Joost N.V. that gives Skype ownership over all software previously licensed from Joltid and ends all litigation currently pending against the investor group and eBay at the closing of the acquisition.