On May 15 2006, I received an email from Skype (as millions more would also have) which said: “Starting from today it doesn’t matter if it’s a Skype-to-Skype call or a call to landline or mobile phone – it’s free as long as you’re calling from within the US or Canada to US or Canadian phone number.” I must admit, I was ecstatic. And not because it would save me from some marginal cash from my cell phone bill, but because this was what I considered to be the next “gutsy” step needed after Vonage. I shot out an email to several of my colleagues and clients saying:(This is a public email list with non-confidential information) “For those who use Skype, I received an email (its on their website too) that Skype is now offering Skype-PSTN outbound calling free. This is not a trial or a ‘special run’ – but supposedly a permanent feature. In other words, ‘SkypeOut’ which was a charged service is now essentially free. The catch, however, is that this is only free for US and Canada right now (local calls). One way to look at it is that with the Skype acquisition for $4b by Ebay,

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