Skype to Charge Annual Fee for SkypeOut Calls

When Skype started offering free SkypeOut calls within North America earlier this year, chatterboxes everywhere rejoiced and analysts scratched their heads. How could this possibly benefit Skype?

These analysts clearly forgot the first rule of selling addictive substances: The first hit is always free. Now that people have seen their phone bills plummet, they'll be only too happy to pony up the $29.95 annual fee that Skype will now be charging for what they're calling the Skype Unlimited Calling Plan. Early birds who want to ease into this brave new world can cut that cost in half by signing up before January 31.