Myspace offers Skype calls to members

Myspace and Skype have teamed up to allow users to make internet calls from within the social-networking site.

The service, which is set to go live in November, will be accessed by Myspace users through the website's instant-messaging function.

Skype downloads are not required, but users will need the latest version of the Myspace instant-messaging software.

Myspace users will also be able to link their profiles and photos or avatars to their accounts on Skype. However, users who have a Myspace profile set to “private” will not be able to receive a Skype call from someone who is not on their friends list.

The service will also have an incoming window, which screens callers and allows the recipients to decide whether or not they want to accept, ignore, or block the call.

Myspace members will get the service for free. However, those who want to make calls to landlines and mobiles, as well as access voicemail, will have to sign up to one of Skype’s premium services. This includes Skypeout, which allows users to make calls to landlines and mobile phones globally. To use this service registered users must buy a minimum of £11.50 credit via the site. Calls are then charged at 1.4p a minute for Europe, America and Australia.

Skypein also provides users with a local phone number to receive calls wherever they are in the world from other people on a landline or a mobile phone. This costs £11.50 for a three-month subscription or £40.25 for 12 months.

However, not everyone is excited by partnership. Jajah, which announced a similar service last month, said the service was “old news”.

Roman Scharf, founder of the online telephony service, said: “Last month we launched Jajah Buttons, which are a little 'call me' widgets that can be placed in websites, emails, blogs and social-network profiles - including Myspace.

“Therefore Skype doing a deal with Myspace is interesting, but is old news as Skype once again shows it is behind the game."

Scharf also believeds that more people would be inclined to use Jajah's service. He said: “In a Web 2.0 environment this is how it works - users drive the adoption, rather than big deals between two major corporations.”