Skype For SIP now available in Beta
Today, Skype takes another step towards greater interoperability with the launch of the beta of Skype For SIP.
SIP is the leading voice over Internet protocol used in businesses telephony networks – there are millions of installations across the globe. According to IDC†, 438,000 IP PBXes were shipped worldwide in 2008, so this represents a significant opportunity for Skype, and for small, medium and large businesses around the world.
What Skype For SIP can do for your business
With Skype For SIP, your business can:
- Receive and manage inbound calls from the 405 million Skype users worldwide on SIP-enabled PBX systems, connecting the company website to the PBX system using Skype click-to-call buttons
- Place calls via Skype to landlines and mobile phones worldwide from any connected SIP-enabled PBX, saving your business money with Skype’s low rates
- Purchase Skype online numbers to receive calls to the corporate PBX from landlines or mobile phones
- Manage Skype calls using your existing hardware and system applications such as call routing, conferencing, phone menus, voicemail and call recording and logging – no additional downloads or training are required
Skype For SIP is the perfect way to integrate Skype with your existing PBX, allowing the communications from your PBX to be complemented by Skype functionality – head over to the Business blog to find out more about the Beta programme.
† Source: IDC, Worldwide IP PBX and Desktop Hardware IP Phone Market Forecast, 2008-2012: Using the PBX as the Foundation of Unified Communications, Doc #210695, February 2008.
gglnyc commented Monday, Mar 23
Does anyone know if the Skype For SIP service will work with both SIP Trunks as well as SIP phones?
mykillmp3 commented Monday, Mar 23
This is great to see Skype doing SIP.
How will this program compare to Gizmo5's OpenSky which now allows SIP to Skype calls and Skype to SIP calls in a hosted fashion? see: http://gizmo5.com/opensky
How much will this cost? That's really important factor.
serrebi2006 commented Tuesday, Mar 24
Wish the beta program was open to consumers. I have a e71 which has a sip client and it'd be nice to use this on my device, rather then becoming financhially obligated to another service by spending money. Deffinitly a huge step in the right direction for skype. Would be cool to see ability to call other sip providers inside skype.
debiecesi commented Sunday, Mar 29
Hello Peter,
I am not so expert in SIP and other protocols. But I would like to know if with this Skype for SIP I will be able to use skype with a VoiP phone adapter such as, for example, Linksys PAP2T which supports G.729 codec with SIP v2 protocol. I would like to use Skype (with abbonament) also with PC switched Off, without a traditional analog phone line, but using analog cordless phones.
Is it possible? Or will it be possible in the future?
Thank you, Debi
ddevil321 commented Monday, Mar 30
I think this is really something that Skype should pursue for end consumers as well. I would probably never change to any other provider if Skype had SIP for end consumers. It would be nice to be able to use a regular phone with Skype.
Peter Parkes commented Monday, Mar 30
@debiecesi at the moment, Skype For SIP is just for corporate PBX users, I'm afraid.
hexland commented Friday, Apr 3
+1 for consumer SIP through Skype. I already have a Linksys PAP2T for my alarm system, and it would be awesome if I could add Skype to it... I could finally put my PC to sleep and not worry about missing calls.
(Yes, I know I could buy the various stand alone Skype handsets, but I don't want to... I have a perfectly excellent 5Ghz analog DECT phone with 5 handsets around the house... it would cost me a small fortune to put 5 Skype handsets in their place)
jamesadams_66 commented Wednesday, Apr 8
will Skype peer with other sip providers? perhaps using www.sipbroker.com ?
If so, how do I dial some other non-skype SIP user without using skype out?
idynamics commented Thursday, Apr 30
VoiceGear Connect gateways for Skype from IndustryDynamics can help you take advantage of Skype in a business environment with any type of PBX system.
All VoiceGear Connect gateways are integrated appliances which can work with any Analog, Digital or VoIP phone system. You can simply connect the gateway to your on-premise PBX system and instantly enable all office phones for Skype calling.
VoiceGear doesn't have any monthly fees (other than cost of Skype calls) and you can even accept calls from your Skype contacts or call them directly on their Skype.
Good luck!
romenlaw commented Monday, Aug 2
Well, a year later, we still don't see the product and the URL is defunct. Has this project died in the ass?
Peter Parkes commented Monday, Aug 2
The product was launched some time ago – I’ve corrected the link above.