Even if we’re witnessing currently the rise of free messaging and VOIP apps, we can’t yet be complete detached from traditional communication methods. But with such tools as Skype, we are able to call from our computers, smartphones and tablets to mobile numbers and landlines very easy. And to remind Indian users that Skype has such a feature, they are currently running a rather sweet promotion.
So, if you’re a Skype user in India and you need to make some holiday calls over to the US and Canada, you will be able to do so for free until March 1, 2015. Thus, users can call either landline or mobile phones and don’t need to go through any special set-up process other than having a Skype account. Starting from today, Indian Skype users have two months and a half to make use of this great deal.
Since India is such a popular country for outsourcing, many could be looking to profit from this deal. However, Microsoft informs that the business use, such as in call centers, is prohibited, the promotion being targeted at regular customers. Your existing subscription, if you have some, will not be affected whatsoever:
If you have credit in your Skype account during the Offer Period, you will not be charged (and your credit will not be used) for qualifying calls from India to the U.S. and Canada made during the Offer Period. Once the Offer Period has ended, you will be charged (and your credit used) as usual.
If, during the Offer Period, you have a Skype subscription with a fixed-minutes allowance (e.g. 120 minutes per month) that includes calls from India to landlines and mobiles in the U.S. and Canada then your minutes allowance will not be used for qualifying calls made during the Offer Period. However, your subscription will still end at the specified time (e.g. after one month for a 120 minutes per month subscription) even if you have not used your full minutes allowance; unused minutes cannot be carried forward beyond the end of the subscription period.
With this promotion, Microsoft is looking to increase its presence in India, as recently the company has announced its collaboration with Amazon India to sell its range of hardware and software products on its own store. So, go ahead and start calling that good old friend from New York that you haven’t talked to in years.