* Any business can now use Skype's existing SIP-based PBX or unified communications systems
Skype has opened up its Session Initiation Protocol beta program so any business can now use its existing SIP-based PBX or unified communications systems. For the last several months, Skype had previously offered program participation with specific PBX and UC system vendors including ShoreTel and SIPfoundry.
To participate in the program, IT administrators create and register a Skype Business Control Panel (BCP), following configuration instructions provided with a Web-based tool. Once configured, the tool is also internally used to manage the company’s Skype account, provide centralized billing, and furnish reports on usage and spending.
Skype’s initial beta program has been popular, with a waiting list to join in on the service. According to the Skype’s Stefan Oberg, vice president and general manager of Skype for Business, the company has “received applications from nearly 10,000 businesses and service providers around the world about using Skype for SIP to seamlessly connect their existing communications systems with Skype.”
Prices for the service are based on a monthly channel subscription beginning at an introductory price of $6.95 per channel. Each channel allows for one inbound or one outbound call at a time, and incoming Skype calls to the SIP-enabled PBX or UC system are free of charge to the Skype user. “Calls to landlines and mobiles made using Skype for SIP are billed at Skype’s standard per-minute calling rates,” according to the company.
In other news, Cisco announced it has acquired approximately 89% of the outstanding shares in Tandberg, and subject to remaining conditions, it intends to proceed with the voluntary public cash offer we reported in October. The Tandberg acquisition lets Cisco extend its video conferencing solutions with the broad portfolio Tandberg offers.
