Free online Skype Access all this week

by Steven Mostyn - Nov 9 2010, 05:59

Reaching beyond being ‘just’ a free VoIP platform, Internet telephony provider Skype is gifting its UK user base with temporary and completely free Wi-Fi connectivity.

Announced as part of Internet Week Europe, the online service is available through Skype Access and is open to any and all Skype users located in a Wi-Fi hotspot and equipped with the latest edition of Skype for PC or Mac.

“Skype Access will be free to use, so you can surf the web, send emails and make free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls at Skype Access-enabled Wi-Fi hotspots in cafes, hotels and airports across the UK,” explained Skype’s Peter Parkes via its official blog.

Accessing the Net through Skype Access usually costs 13 pence per minute.

Internet Week Europe, which began on November 8, involves a number of leading industry players (i.e., Yahoo and Google) and includes more than 100 different events designed to help celebrate the Net and raise awareness in connected technology.

For example, the BBC has made its Lonely Planet and Good Food Health Recipes software applications free until November 12. Both of the BBC’s popular iPhone apps usually sell for 1.79 GBP each.

This is the first time Internet Week has come to Europe. The five-day event has been held in the United States for the last two years.

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