Skype For SIP now available in Beta
By
Peter Parkes on March 23, 2009 in Product news.
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.
The beta programme
The beta programme will allow Skype to test Skype For SIP in real-world environments and secure critical feedback from business users like you.
Registration for the Skype For SIP beta programme is now open. To participate in the beta program, your business will need to have an installed SIP based IP-PBX system as well as the technical competency to configure you own SIP-enabled PBX. The number of beta testers will be limited so that we can provide you with the appropriate level of support during the trial.
During the beta period, the Skype for Business team will be on hand to provide support and gather feedback, and we hope to be able to launch the full version of Skype For SIP later in 2009. During the beta programme, we’ll be able to provide support in English only, but we’ll announce our plans for other languages when Skype For SIP launches fully.
† 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.
Comments
many business customers use the IPHONE & Blackberry!
thanks for the mobile application..
greets from germany
Fabio
sabbatical83 | Monday, Mar 23
Sounds good other than the beta only supports G729. I started signing up for the beta until I saw G729 was a requirement. I like to avoid transcoding when possible. Most SIP providers support G711 and I don't consider it much of a SIP offering until there is support for something other than G729.
Skype do yourself a favor and offer PCMU, PCMA, GSM or even a wide band codec that could take advantage of the audio quality Skype users have access. Another suggestion support for H263/H264 so we could have video access to Skype users.
netprofx | Monday, Mar 23
As far as the webcall buttons and SIP functionality, it seems very similar to Google Voice (especially in combination with Gizmo5). Google Voice (free, by the way) gives you very dynamic webcall buttons (which can ring multiple phones, again, free) and Gizmo5 lets it ring your computer for free too.
Here is more info about the combination of the two services:
http://www.corruptionoflol.com/?p=62
Don't get me wrong, I love Skype, but it seems like they're beat in this particular situation.
jdhalbert | Monday, Mar 23
I was signing up for the beta when I too noticed only g729 support. A no go with trixbox. I did notice that freeswitch supports g729a. I wonder if that will let freeswicth use skype for sip?
atibs1 | Thursday, Mar 26
When might this be available for end users (consumers)? I think this would be great to use with a regular phone. I love Skype but really would like to use a standard phone with it too.
ddevil321 | Tuesday, Mar 31
ddevil321, if you are looking to use Skype with regular phones in your business, then perhaps you need to check VoiceGear Connect gateways for Skype from IndustryDynamics.
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.
You can even accept calls from your Skype contacts or call them directly on their Skype.
Good luck!
idynamics | Thursday, Apr 30
Hi all. It has been profusely advertised that a lite version of Skype for Blackberry (I have a BB Bold) would be available for download starting in May at www.skype.com/m
Despite having been on the lookout for several days now, no such app is available for download yet.
Could anyone please clarify this or give me some advise as to what to do?
Mik (Istanbul, Turkey)
bahamamon | Friday, May 8
Hi all,
I am also desperately looking for Skype for Blackberry Bold checking website everyday, as its published that would get in May !!
Thus would request kindly anyone let me know when it would be finally be launched, now May is also coming to end.
Though BB Bold is awesome but with Skype it would be a true beast !!
Regards,
Kushagra
(Sydney, Australia)
kushagra.bhatia | Saturday, May 23
I signed up for Skype beta some time ago and have heard nothing. I have an Allworx 6X ready to program with G729, when do you think it will be available?
jumina1 | Friday, Jul 3
Yeah, only supporting G.729 is lame. Wake up, Skype.
aggressive_digital | Friday, Aug 7
Just got a Blackberry and would like to use skype on it. Any news when that would be available? Would be helpful if Skype would respond to these blogs
georg-aurelia | Saturday, Aug 8