Skype, arguably the internet's first (successful) VOIP company is currently fighting to save itself from impending "free Google call doom" - I wrote an article about this shortly after Google started the promotion and it looks like Skype will not give up without a fight. They are rolling out a new flat fee monthly rate service where you can get unlimited calling to the United States, and Canada, for only $2.99 a month! This can be used anytime - days, nights, whenever. You can make calls to landlines and cellphones at no additional charge (other than the monthly fee) AND if you purchase 12 months of time in advance you can save 15% off - which is the icing on the cake. So the total price for the flat rate service will come to $35.88 minus 15% ($5.38) - a total yearly cost of only $30.50 (or $2.54 a month!). This is a pretty sweet deal and would make for a very cheap alternate to using your cell minutes - for unlimited calling!

I am still pretty anxious to see how everything will pan out between Google and Skype with more drama added with the addition of this deal. I think it really is going to be the only way be able to weather this upcoming storm and I am glad they are taking steps to keep their business. The new monthly terms still keep the same Skype to Skype calling features that have always been free - Voice and video calls to anyone else on Skype, Conference calls with three or more people, and Instant messaging, file transfer and screen sharing will all remain the same.