Skype, famous for launching the first popular Internet VoIP communications software, previously had a subscription or pay mode called SkypeOut. The feature enabled Skype users within the US and Canada to make calls to landlines for small fees. After paying or adding pre-paid credit, users would then be able to use Skype on their computers to make calls to anywhere within the US -- to other Skype users (for free) and to regular land lines.

Today, Skype announces a major milestone in VoIP communication: free calls to any land line in the US and Canada, free of charge. No strings attached, at all. Simply use your existing Skype software and SkypeOut login, and begin making those calls. Call lengths are unlimited and can be made at any time during the day or night. From the press release:

Yes. It is really very, very free. There’s no prepayment, no minimum use, no subscription, no monthly fee, no nothing. You just download and install Skype and then you start calling. Both the caller and the number called must be in either the US or Canada. There are no strings attached.

The only condition is that we have said free SkypeOut within the US and Canada is guaranteed to last until the end of this year — that is, until December 31, 2006. We’re not quite sure yet what we will do after that. Maybe we extend the free period, maybe not. You’ll hear more about this towards the end of the year.

This marks a major milestone not only for Skype, but for making calls within the US and Canada in all of history. Never has a company offered free calling to land lines in the US and Canada, and while the hurrah of VoIP promised to remove customers from the grasps of large telcos, Skype has truly made VoIP what it was intended to be. Although Skype is still unsure of what it will do with this free SkypeOut feature once 2007 hits, everyone is hoping that Skype will continue its breakthrough for the long haul.