SkypeIn numbers arrive in South Africa

Voice over IP (VoIP) provider Skype recently announced that it has extended its SkypeIn service to South Africa.  SkypeIn provides Skype users with their own unique number on which they can receive calls on their computer from regular landline and mobile phone users.

“An online number (SkypeIn) is perfect if you have friends, family or business colleagues who don’t use Skype. Anyone can dial your online number from any phone or mobile and hey presto, your Skype rings and you pick up the call – wherever you are in the world,” the Skype website explains.

“You buy an online number and your friends, family or business contacts can call that number and only pay for a standard rate call (if they are in the same country as your online number) – the online number uses the internet to route the call and so saves them money. It makes absolutely no difference wherever you are, you can pick up the call at no cost to you wherever in the world you are logged into Skype.”

SkypeIn numbers cost US $18 for 3 months or US $60 for a full year.  This translates into R 141 for a SkypeIn number for three months and R 471 per number for a 12 month period.

Unlimited International calls for R 102 per month

SkypeIn complements the company’s existing products like SkypeOut and Unlimited flat rated calling.  Apart from standard SkypeOut credits, South Africans can purchase South Africa 400, World 400 and Unlimited World packages providing discounted call rates to fixed lines.

South Africa 400, priced at $ 14.95 (R 117), gives subscribers 400 minutes of calls to landlines in South Africa per month.  World 400, which costs $ 17.95 (R 141) per month, offers 400 minutes of calls to landlines in South Africa and over 40 countries per month.

The most attractive deal is however the company’s Unlimited World service which at $ 12.95 (R 102) per month allows for unlimited calls to landlines in over 40 countries worldwide.  These countries include Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the UK and the United States.  Calls to South African landlines are however excluded.

SkypeIn in South Africa – give your views