Stefan Öberg is vice president and general manager for Skype Telecom and Skype for Business

I’m speaking today at AstriCon in Glenndale, Arizona, and I’m excited to announce the beta version of Skype For Asterisk, which will allow small and mid-sized businesses to integrate Skype functionality into Digium’s Asterisk software. If you’re an Asterisk user, you’ll be able to make, receive and transfer Skype calls from your Asterisk phone.

Specifically, the beta version of Skype For Asterisk is an add-on channel driver module that integrates Skype calling with Asterisk-based telephony products. Skype For Asterisk also complements small and mid-sized business users’ existing services by providing low rates for calling landline and mobile phones around the world.

The beta version of Skype For Asterisk will enable Asterisk users to:

• Make, receive and transfer Skype calls with multiple Skype names from within Asterisk phone systems, using existing hardware.
• Complement existing Asterisk services with low Skype global rates (as low as 1.7€¢ / 2.1US¢ per minute to more than 35 countries worldwide).
• Save money on inbound calling solutions such as free click-to-call from a website, as well as receive inbound calling from the PSTN throughcreate virtual offices all over world using Skype’s online numbers.
• Manage Skype calls using Asterisk applications such as call routing, conferencing, phone menus and voicemail.

If you’re an Asterisk user, system administrator or developer, you can apply to join the Skype for Asterisk beta programme. The initial beta is limited to a select number of users, developers and integrators. Additionally, if you’re here at AstriCon, you can stop in and see a demonstration of Skype For Asterisk at the Skype booth on the expo floor – I look forward to meeting some of you there.