Asterisk meets Skype

Stuart Corner
Friday, 26 September 2008 03:29

Business IT - Technology

Users of Asterisk, the popular open source IP PBX software will be able to take advantage of Skype's free or low cost calling with the release of a beta version of Skype for Asterisk.

"Working together with Skype, our goal is to help businesses boost productivity and reap the rewards of feature-rich telephony software, all while saving a substantial amount of money," said Danny Windham, CEO of Digium, the creator and sponsor of Asterisk.

"The Skype For Asterisk beta program is a first step towards adding Skype capabilities to Asterisk-based phone systems and enabling them to reach more than 338 million Skype users."

Skype For Asterisk is an add-on channel driver module that integrates Skype Internet calling with Asterisk-based telephony products. It will enable business users to make, receive and transfer Skype calls from within Asterisk phone systems, using existing hardware and to manage Skype calls using Asterisk applications such as call routing, conferencing, phone menus and voicemail.

When the product is released it will be sold and distributed by Digium and its worldwide network of resellers. The initial beta will be limited to "a select number of users, developers and integrators." Asterisk users, system administrators and developers are invited to apply at http://www.astricon.net/skype .