Microsoft rolling out carrier billing for Skype

Microsoft has begun rolling out carrier billing for its Skype service, partnering with a carrier billing firm called MACH to allow carriers to sell Skype credits.

In a press statement, MACH states the service will allow users to buy Skype Credits through their monthly bill or prepaid account and will be rolled out across Russia, Canada and the United States.

“We are proud of our heritage in delivering a strong user experience and are pleased that our direct operator billing payment option is now live,” says Jason Macklin, the director billing and payments at Microsoft’s Skype Division

“As well as our existing users benefitting from this new payment option, we expect direct operator billing to attract new customers who are looking for more convenient ways to manage their spend.

“Since the announcement of our partnership with MACH in September last year, we have seen direct operator billing gather momentum in North America and Russia, and we are looking forward to rolling the solution out in additional markets in the near future.”

Skype and other voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services have long been greeted with suspicion by carriers, who have viewed them as undercutting margins on fixed line and mobile calls.

However, the companies have not announced any plans to roll out carrier billing in Australia.