Skype Adds Cisco SMB Interoperability

Skype business announcements are coming fast and furious these days. One big one was the introduction of Skype for Asterisk earlier this month. Others are the result of the introduction of Skype for SIP beta service in March. ShoreTel was the first to announce certification of its IP PBXes with that service earlier this month. SIPfoundry followed with certification of its sipXecs product about a week ago, and now Skype has added the biggest name yet: Cisco.

The company announced that Skype for SIP has been certified interoperable with Cisco's Unified Communications 500 Series for small businesses. That means users of such systems will be able to make outbound calls globally at Skype rates. They'll also be able to receive calls from Skype users for free. Such calls will show up in the Cisco system as if they were ordinary inbound calls from the PSTN (public switched telephone network).

The system will also be able to receive calls globally from the PSTN through Skype inbound numbers. Such numbers are available around the world, and allow overseas customers to reach a company for the cost of a local call.