Skype on Monday lowered the cost of nationwide and universal calling with the debut of new unlimited calling subscriptions. The launch marks the first date Skype has offered a flat rate for unlimited calls to 34 countries, including Mexico.

Unlimited Skype calls to landline and cell phones in the U.S. and Canada will cost $2.95 per month. Skype subscribers in Mexico can manufacture unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada, and to landlines in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey for $5.95 a month. Unlimited calls to 34 countries are now $9.95 a month, up to 80 percent less than normal SkypeOut rates. Skype-to-Skype calls remain free.

No Strings Attached

“We know Skype users have different communication needs — whether it’s doing free video calls to others on Skype, or using Skype to manufacture calls to friends or family members who are on landline phones,” said Don Albert, vice president and general manager of Skype North America.

“Our goal is to supply simple, clear options that allow humans to choose the free or inexpensive communication methods that work best in their lives.”

The 34 countries included in an Unlimited World subscription are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

Each subscription includes a Skype To Go number, which lets users construct worldly calls at local rates from a cell phone or landline phone. A user dials an assigned access number and the signal is connected by Skype to overseas numbers. Calls are charged at standard Skype calling rates. The subscriptions do not require a long-term contract and give customers the choice of paying monthly, quarterly or annually. From now…

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