Since launching the service only a few months ago Skype has revealed that users users are already sending over 30,000 SMS messages per day

Speaking on the eBay Q2 2006 earnings conference call, Bob Swan, CFO said that the company “ended the second quarter with 113 million registered Skype users, representing an increase of 156% from a year ago and a sequential increase of 20% and we continue to add over 200,000 new users per day.”

“The ability to send and receive SMS messages, has seen strong adoption”, said Swan “with users already sending over 30,000 SMS messages per day.”

Swan said the company was “on track to achieve our full-year revenue guidance of approximately US$200 million, representing a threefold increase over 2005.”

Skype upped the ante in the internet telephony market yesterday, with the announcement that all US and Canadian users can call traditional landlines and mobiles in the US and Canada for free.

Previously, Skype users in both countries were required to pay for Skype calls to traditional telephones, but users in both countries can now make free SkypeOut calls to the two North American countries until the end of the year.

Skype anticipates the move will expand its increasing penetration in North America and solidify its position in the market.

“Millions of consumers around the world are flocking to Skype every month, and we believe free SkypeOut calling will rapidly accelerate Skype adoption in the US and Canada,” said Henry Gomez, general manager, Skype North America.

Competition in the Voice over IP (VoIP) space is heating up. US carrier Verizon Communications last week slashed the price of its VoIP offering by $5, taking it toe to toe with IP telephony provider Vonage.

Verizon’s VoiceWing broadband service now costs $24.95 per month, the same price Vonage is charging for its Premium Unlimited plan.

Last week, Skype released a new beta version of its software that adds new features including: SMS; simplified dialing; payments in Skype; Outlook contact integration; call quality management; simplified registration; shared contact groups; and improved conference calling.

Skype notched up 100 million registered users worldwide in early May.

CRM giant Amdocs has bought mobile content delivery specialist Qpass for $275 million in cash.
Qpass, which itself merged with Austria-based UCP Morgen in January 2005, powers content offerings on behalf of T-Mobile International, Cingular and Skype.

The company has estimated annual sales of $42 million and recently unveiled its Open Market business unit, which will help media companies launch mobile content through direct-to-consumer channels.

“Consumers have begun to expect higher levels of personalization and richer content via multiple electronic channels,” said Chase Franklin, CEO and founder of Qpass. “As the consumption of content and digital goods becomes mainstream, volume and complexity will increase significantly and the demand for additional services will grow. The merger with Amdocs will provide a comprehensive answer to help service providers support these increased demands.”

The closing of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to occur in the quarter ending June 30, 2006.