March 11, 2005 — As of today, more than 1,000,000 users enjoyed the benefits of SkypeOut, Skype's first premium service offering global calling to PSTN numbers for local rates. Skype is the leading VOIP-category product, worldwide.
"We're thrilled about Skype's growth and credit support from users who have told their friends and family about the cost and quality gains they've found with Skype," said CEO and co-founder Niklas Zennström, speaking from the CeBIT tradeshow in Hanover, Germany. "Our one million SkypeOut users prove that savvy consumers will pay for value - and we will continue to delight users by delivering the software and services they seek to realize the potential of modern communications."
This milestone is the most recent achievement for the fastest-growing global communications tool in history. Skype has more than 29 million registered users and is adding more than 155,000 new users per day. On average, 2 million people are simultaneously using Skype to connect with friends, family members and colleagues. Skypers have now talked for approx six billion minutes. (Note "minutes served" is tracked on the main Skype.com homepage and will likely hit 6 billion later today.)
Skype is constantly innovating and setting new standards of quality and value for Internet Telephony. Skype has stated commitments to expanding platforms beyond the MAC, Linux, Windows and Pocket PC platforms currently available, and is making massive inroads in implementing our wireless strategy to expand portability. In the near future, Skype will announce new premium offerings, and enhancements to the basic free service.
Skype's award-winning software has been honored by numerous organizations. A complete listing of Skype's awards is available at www.skype.com/company/awards/.