Skype cuts rates of sending SMS from their service

eBay’s Skype has slashed the costs of sending SMS through their service as they aim to encourage users to try them instead of using mobile service providers.

They are now charging half the regular rates and this would continue for the next several days. The company said that sending SMS to recipients in the United States, Australia, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, Belgium, Thailand, Ireland, Austria, and Italy between May 2 and May 8 would be charged at half the prevailing rates.

The users of Skype service can send SMS using their personal computers. They are already allowed to make free calls to other Skype members. Calls to landlines and mobiles are charged.

The company said that by offering this limited time period service they are aiming to encourage users to check out their SMS services. The mobile service providers in US charge quite a lot of money for text messages.