Free calls to toll-free phone numbers global beta
We’ve just made a change to SkypeOut that allows you to call toll-free numbers in several countries free of charge, even if you don’t have SkypeOut and don’t ever plan to buy it. (If you DO have SkypeOut, those calls are priced at zero price.) Note that this is currently in beta, so there may be issues — see below for details — but we’ve verified it works fairly well for us.
The following countries and number ranges are supported. We’re working on the rest of the world.
* **France**: +33 800, +33 805, +33 809
* **Poland**: +48 800
* **UK**: +44 500, +44 800, +44 808
* **USA**: +1 800, +1 866, +1 877, +1 888
]]>We think this is a fairly big thing.
If you’re a Skype user, here’s the deal. You can call the toll-free numbers in many countries even if you haven’t bought SkypeOut and don’t ever plan to. You can also use this to see that SkypeOut works well for you as a sort of “try before you buy at no risk”.
If you are a company or service provider who provides access to customers over the phone, it means you can accept global toll-free calls from users all over the world using the procedures and phone system that are already in place. (Well… you could do that also using the free Skype-to-Skype calls, but you may not want to, for various reasons. So we don’t push you, we believe in choice. Use whichever is more convenient for you.)
### How do I use it?
In Skype, just enter the number in international format in the Address Bar (start with +1 for USA, +44 for UK etc) and hit the big green button. Couldn’t be easier! You can also add the numbers to your contact list and call them “pizza”, “video rentals” or wherever else you’re calling. The free calls are effective immediately and supported on all platforms where the Skype client is available.
See the [SkypeOut Dialing Wizard](http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/rates/dialing.html) if you need help dialing. (Since this is a very new change in the system, the dialing wizard may still show those calls being priced, even though they’re actually free. We’re updating the prices in the dialing wizard shortly.)
### Known issues
Now, there are some known issues with the whole thing. Help us fix these and let us know if you encounter anything more in [this forum thread](http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=31953).
* Call quality degrades after you select a menu item for certain US phone numbers. This is because of a known issue with one of our phone service partners. Work is ongoing to fix the issue.
* The call length counter may not start immediately, and may only start mid-way through the call. This is a minor issue, as the call is free anyway.
* Certain US regional toll-free numbers are blocked. This is because the company being called only wants to accept calls from certain areas of the US, and is not able to determine where the Skype user is located since Skype is not transmitting the info at this time.
hello i want to no that if i want to make a phone call but will pay later is that possible and if yes where and how do i do that please let me now as i a new to this thankyou very much
Can i do call of main country Bulgaria in all The World?
hello skyp can i some how make some free call with ++38111 ?
that will be great if i can get some free credit to make a call for the test .
write back for the answer .
thank you
i had badtime on skype but soon i knew how to use it was ok.
Hi
any one know how to call UK free access number such as +44 500, +44 800, +44 808, I wasnt able to call through these number.
Well I have used sky and I think there is a problem with the software it will never dial international number I have written to skype several time with no joy. They tend to ignore emails I think there’re only after money and not after resolving problem. At first when I learnt about this package I said waaooo what a cool idea but now they’re useless in customer support.
I have used a different computer even a cafe but will never dial international or toll free number. So is this a way of pulling customers. They better look into that it’s a bad track.
Mboyat
cool
deneme
It’s is a great idea but really dificult to do it. or is there a secret?
I want to dial to a number in Paris, could you help me to know how to do it?
I’d been trying with the tall free numbers but it seems to be imposible. Please let me know anybody.
In Canada on Skype Out, calling Virgin Mobile’s toll free number produces a recording which says this number is not avail. from your calling area… Very odd, is this a Skype Toll Free number problem or other prob? The number is +1-888-999-2321 I can call from other cell/tel#’s but I cannot call on Skype Out. Is there a problem with the 1-888 dialing on Skype Out? I would love to know. Thanks if you can reply, or cc this as a bug report. Thanks John S. Richards
I also have the same problem like west and scott….i can dial the 800 #, but can’t go throgh the menu as the number for menu doesn’t work…or can’t enter my password…Skype team…I’m curious..are you working on this issue?..otherwise this feature is not really helpful I guess
Thanks
Hi Jaanus,
This is great news! I am from Portugal our toll free numbers are of the form +351 800*. I have just installed SkypeOut beta v4.0.0.150 and realised that Portuguese toll free numbers do NOT work. Was wondering if you guys could please add these to a newer future version as well?
Many thanks
Best regards,
Nelson
All I can say is… thank you for this feature.
Thanks for it. I am located in The Netherlands and when having a conference call I call into the toll-free French or UK number (depending whom I have the conference with).
I do sometimes have small losses of connection, thus I hope that more countries will be added in the future! Again Thanks for all your effort!