Skype signs carrier termination deals

Peer-to-peer VoIP provide Skype today announced interconnection and call termination deals with four global carriers in preparation for the launch of its first commercial service.

Skype, founded by the creators of the KaZaA music trading engine, uses P2P technology to connect users across the globe directly through broadband-fed PCs. So far the service has been free, but calls have been limited to other Skype users. With its new carrier agreements with iBasis, Level 3 Communications, TeleGlobe and COLT, Skype is preparing to launch a worldwide service, allowing users to call any phone number in the world.

“What we’re aiming for is global calling at local prices,” a Skype spokesman said. “Skype to Skype calling will still be free, but we’ll also be able to offer Skype users access to any landline.”

Skype has still not set a launch date for the service, called SkypeOut, but customers are already testing the service in the Beta version of Skype’s newest peer-to-peer software. Even in Beta, the basic Skype service has 7.7 million registered users. The launch of Skype Version 1.0, however, will be Skype’s first foray into a commercial, revenue generating business plan. While keeping peer-to-peer calls free, it will charge per-minute fees for individual off-net calls determined by the country being called.