Skype raises the bar

How big is this story, widely circulated on the newswires today that Skype is now offering free skype out calls to US and Canadian landlines and mobiles (from within the US and Canada only)? The FT reported it like this (subscription required)

Skype, the internet voice-calling service, stepped up its efforts to gain a stronger foothold in the US on Monday, announcing free calls to landlines and mobile phones until the end of the year.

Remember mobile numbers work differently in the US - the mobile user gets charged for airtime for incoming calls, so caller only has a normal landline rate call. So, it doesn't translate exactly here in Europe.

But, the landline and especially the mobile carriers who spent so much on 3G licenses must be getting VERY worried indeed!