14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that users in the UK who have a 3 SIM card will be able to make unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls without having to pay extra for the service, at least this is what Hutchison 3G UK (or 3 UK) announced that it planned to offer starting next month. According to the carrier, subscribers that use Skype on 3 UK’s network won't have to pay extra data charges or top-up fees.
The offer, which comes live starting next month, applies to both contract and pay-as-you-go customers that have a 3 UK-branded Skype-enabled handset, and allows them to talk as much as they want to other Skype users, all for free. New consumers will need to purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM from 3 UK for only £1.99, which can be included initially in any Skype-compatible 3 handset.
In addition, the mobile phone operator also announced that it intended to expand the offer during this summer to allow anyone who has a compatible unlocked 3G handset in the UK to benefit from free Skype calls, regardless of the carrier the phone comes from.
“Communication through the internet is exploding. Internet calling or VoIP, social networking, instant messaging and email are used by millions in the UK every single day. They are open to all on their PCs and laptops. We want people to be free to communicate from their mobiles in the same way as they do from their PCs,” stated Kevin Russell, chief executive officer of 3 UK.
3 UK’s Skype userbase is reported to generate about 1.5 million minutes of free Skype-to-Skype calls every day for the time being. According to the company, regular Skype users have less chances to churn and they use more traditional voice minutes when compared to non-Skype users. Though using a Skype IM, they also send more SMS than non-Skype users, and they are reported to be generally higher margin customers for the operator.
“In future you will be able to buy a 3 SIM for unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls for less than the price of a cup of coffee and talk for as much as you want without ever paying us another penny. We won’t ask you for a top-up or a monthly commitment. If you want to talk on a mobile for free, just join us and give it a go. This is for everyone,” Russell added.