Skype / VoIP

Skype technologies forms strategic partnership with Auction, Korea`s premier e-Commerce community

Skype, the global Internet communications company, has announced the commencement of business in the Korean market.

At a press conference held in the Chosun Hotel on Feb.13, Geoffrey Prentice, Skype`s Vice President, Strategic Partners and Corporate Development announced that the company would start its localized Internet communication business in Korea on a full scale by cooperating with IAC (ebay Korea).

`The business prospects of Korea with the world`s leading broadband infrastructure is very bright,` says Geoffrey Prentice. `With a user community already in excess of 75 million registered users globally, based on high quality communication products and strong relationships with businesses such as IAC (eBay Korea) we expect to increase our reach substantially,` adds Prentice.

Opening its official Korean Web site (www.skype.co.kr) on Feb. 14, Skype plans to introduce its leading communication products tailored to address the specific needs of Korean users.

Major product features Skype will advance in Korea are as follows: (`Skype`, a P2P based messenger software enabling free, unlimited voice, video and text communications between Skype users on PCs connected to the Internet ( `Skype Out`, a low cost way to make calls from Skype on PC to others using those traditional landlines or mobile phones, and `Skype In`, a method to receive calls in Skype on PC from landlines or mobile phones.

In addition, Skype provides other advanced features such as a conference call function enabling free calls with up to 5 people concurrently, and plans to increase the number of participants to 10 people. To further the adoption of Skype within the Korean market, Skype will enter into a strategic partnership with IAC as a Co- Branding Partner.

By providing free communication technologies to 15 millions IAC members, IAC will also benefit by enabling customers to use Skype products more conveniently. Besides the above Skype has plans to expand in the market by forming strategic partnerships with other leading Korean sites.

In commemoration of the official Korean web site launching, Skype will have sweepstakes event for 1 month, Skype will offer various presents like the latest mobile phone, PSP, PMP, WebCam and USB phone for drawing and free vouchers (30 minute phone call) to every subscriber.