RadioShack Brings Skype-Ready Products to Customers Nationwide;
RadioShack Becomes First U.S. Retailer to Offer Skype Services
and Hardware, Including Motorola, Linksys, Logitech and Skype
Starter Packs
FORT WORTH, Texas & LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21,
2005--RadioShack Corporation (NYSE:RSH) and Skype, the Global Internet
Communications Company, today announced an agreement to distribute
Skype-certified hardware and software in approximately 3,500
RadioShack stores. This makes RadioShack the first U.S. retailer to
offer this new Internet phone service.
According to Skype officials, Skype has successfully brought free
Internet calling to over 66 million people around the world since its
launch in 2003, with an average of 175,000 new people joining each
day. People with Internet connectivity can load Skype's free software
enabling unlimited, high-quality voice calls to other Skype users
anywhere in the world. Unlike other Internet phone services, Skype's
unique software resides directly on a computer or mobile device to
facilitate communications. Skype runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and
Pocket PC platforms. Skype also offers premium services providing
enhanced functionality for its users to make calls to regular phones
for as little as two cents a minute.
This agreement with RadioShack supports Skype's growing presence in
the U.S. market as a leading Internet communications company.
RadioShack's convenient network of neighborhood stores staffed by
knowledgeable sales associates will help expose Skype's unique
worldwide free call service to a broad new audience of potential
customers. Further, these retail stores will provide consumers with a
place to shop for new Skype-certified products such as the Motorola
Wireless Headset and Internet Calling Kit - the world's first
Skype-certified Bluetooth offering.
Skype-certified phones and headsets at RadioShack include:
-- New Motorola H500 Bluetooth headset and PC850 USB Adapter
bundled in the Internet Calling Kit - a RadioShack limited
exclusive with a suggested price of $99.99
-- Linksys CIT200 Skype-enabled Cordless Internet Telephony Kit
with a suggested price of $129.99 (with a limited time $15
mail-in rebate)
-- Logitech Premium USB Headset 250 with a suggested price of
$39.99
-- VoIP Voice Cyberphone K USB Internet phone with a suggested
price of $39.99
-- Skype Starter Packs: the Skype Starter Pack, priced at $4.99
until Dec. 24, 2005, allows anyone to get started with free
Skype software, a Skype-enabled headset and 30 SkypeOut
minutes to call any number anywhere in the world
- http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=53333728
Monty Solomon (monty@roscom.com)