VoIP Provider Skype Technologies Drives Down Cost of Phone Service, Reports CMP Media's VARBusinessCompany Targets Small and Medium-Sized BusinessesPRNewswire With the launching of its Skype-for-Business service, Luxembourg-based VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) provider Skype Technologies is allowing small businesses to leverage voice-mail and off-network calling and to link multiple accounts through a control panel, reports CMP Media's VARBusiness. The feature "Got Skype?" which appears in the April 17, 2006, issue of the biweekly magazine that covers the business of technology integration, notes that nearly 300 million people now are calling one another anywhere in the world for free, without a microphone and speakers or a headset connected to a computer, by using the provider. Skype could have a huge impact by further driving down the cost of phone service and by easing the integration of telephones and its network via new wares. Skype executives admit to VARBusiness Senior Editor Jeffrey Schwartz that they're now targeting small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, but that they foresee big business in the corporate sector. According to its own subscriber survey, 25 percent use Skype's service for business. Of those, 63 percent conduct business abroad, 25 percent operate more than three locations and 75 percent have fewer than 50 employees. D-Link, ClearOne Communications and Polycom offer Skype-compatible products. Phones from Linksys, TrendNet and USRobotics connect to a PC's USB port and then function effectively as cell phones, using Skype. In addition to appearing in the April 17, 2006, issue, "Got Skype?" will be posted to the web at www.varbusiness.com. About VARBusiness Magazine For the past 19 years, VARBusiness' strategic resources have been the gateway to the Solution Provider community. VARBusiness provides strategic insight for technology integrators through industry-defining research, in-depth editorial, channel events and innovative Web services, enabling these IT professionals to make educated decisions for their businesses, partnerships and customers. VARBusiness has been the recipient of numerous industry awards for both editorial content and design. Additional information about VARBusiness products, events and services, is available at its Web site, www.varbusiness.com. About CMP Media (www.cmp.com) CMP Media is a marketing solutions company serving the technology, healthcare and lifestyles industries. Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands, CMP Media has earned the confidence of more professionals and enthusiasts in these fields than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in each of these industries in ways that yield superior return on investment. CMP Media is a subsidiary of United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion. Contact: Jeanne Fico
CMP Media Channel Group
(516) 562-7993
Jason Chupick
Plesser Holland Associates
(212) 420-8383, ext. 108
SOURCE: CMP Media LLC CONTACT: Jeanne Fico of CMP Media Channel Group, +1-516-562-7993; or Web site: http://www.cmp.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/181993.html |