Skype customers have a reason to be excited as 3 introduces the £0 month contract. The plan under this contract is called the Sim Zero through which users can call and message from their Skype phone to other Skype-enabled phones without any charges.
This 3G network plan is best suited for users who prefer paying for calls made by them during a month. Without binding into a long term contract users can be a part of this deal with minimal charges. The plan offers numerous services like free Windows Live Messenger and voicemail in the UK. It offers cheap calling and messaging at 20p per minute for all standard calls with 10p per text. It enables 30p per MB of data download. Users need to follow a 1 month minimum term and in case of cancellation they need to give a notice of 1 month.
“Where once the £35 a month contract was common place, prices are now falling. 3 launched the first £9 contract and other networks have followed suit. Some networks have gone as low as £5, but are handcuffing customers to a 3 year commitment. We want to challenge the market and change mobile forever, that’s why we are offering a UK first – a contract that costs nothing but gives you free calls forever with Skype,” stated Andy Nuttall, Head of Pay Monthly at 3.
He further added, “Customers can come to us, and when they’re at home in the UK they’ll never have to pay for a call or instant message to anyone else on Skype anywhere in the world. For customers who are fearful of commitment, SIM ZERO has minimal ties. Customers can try us out and if they don’t love being with us, they can leave with just one month’s notice.”
In April of this year, 3 made public that Skype will be offered for free on majority of its handsets. This service would include Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages without recharging for all Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go customers.
This service will be available from June 17, 2009 onwards.