Skype For SIP Beta Opens Up For Public Use

The closed beta of Skype for session initiation protocol (SIP) has been opened up to the general public, so that businesses can now integrate Skype’s VoIP services into their IP telephony system.

Skype had, until recently, resisted using the international SIP standard, preferring to use its own proprietary peer-to-peer protocols. That was until March this year when it introduced Skype for SIP. However, it took until August before Skype launched a closed beta of the SIP program.

Now it has decided to allow businesses to have a go, and has opened up its SIP beta programme to the world.

“With today’s opening up of the Skype for SIP beta program, those companies on the waiting list and any other businesses that are interested can try out Skype for SIP,” said the company. “It could help your business save money on calls to suppliers and partners abroad, and also give your customers around the world new ways to get in touch with you.”

According to George Yaryura, Marketing Manager Skype for Business, nearly 10,000 businesses and service providers have registered their interest in connecting their existing SIP-based communications solutions to Skype.

How it works is Skype for SIP allows companies with an IP PBX to make calls to both landlines and mobile phones using Skype on their normal deskphone. First however the IT administrator needs to create a Skype Business Control Panel for the business, and then follow the instructions to configure Skype for SIP to work with their existing SIP-enabled communications system.

Staff can then receive inbound calls from Skype users, free-of-charge. However, Yaryura says that companies using Skype for SIP must purchase a monthly channel subscription, from Skype, based on the number of concurrent calls being made or received.

“Each channel allows for one inbound or one outbound call at any given time,” he said. “Incoming Skype calls to the SIP-enabled PBX or UC system are free of charge to the user. Calls to landlines and mobiles made using Skype for SIP are billed at Skype’s standard competitive calling rates worldwide.”

Businesses also have the option to purchase online numbers, so that wherever staff are located, customers in any country can call them at local rates. They can also add click to call buttons on web pages and emails.