December 19, 2006 > Skype launches unlimited phone plan

San Jose Business Journal, December 13_Skype, the Internet-based telephone service owned by eBay Inc., said it is introducing a $30 annual subscription with unlimited calls to any regular or mobile phone number within the U.S. and Canada.

San Jose-based Skype is phasing out a promotion plan it launched in May that allows unlimited free calls in the U.S. and Canada.

The company was acquired last year by San Jose-based eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) for $2.6 billion.

Until the end of January, Skype is offering a half-price promotion on the new plan, charging $14.95 for 12 months of calling instead of $29.95.

Skype calls require a high-speed Internet connection and a personal computer, a cordless handset configured to communicate directly over a broadband modem, or a cell-phone with Wi-Fi capability.