Microsoft Lumia offers free Skype calls for OFWs

Microsoft is wooing Filipinos planning to buy a smartphone for the holidays with free Skype call credits.

 

The "Skype World Offer" allows Filipinos at home to use their Microsoft Lumia devices to connect with loved ones abroad.

 

Dubbed "Paskong PaSkype" in the Philippines, the promo covers landlines in 63 countries and mobile phones in eight countries—free for three months with a new purchase and activation of a Lumia phone running Windows 8.1.

 

But not all Lumia devices will be covered. The promo presently includes the Lumia 530, 630, 635, 636, 930, 830, 730, 735, and 535.

 

Devices running WP 8 such as the Lumia 1520, 1320, 1020, 925 and 625 will have to be updated to Windows 8.1.

 

Users can download the Skype Gift app from Windows Store, open the app and follow the on-screen steps to redeem a unique Skype voucher code that will be used for free calls.

 

Countries, territories

 

Countries and territories covered by the free Skype calls include:

 

Both mobile and landline:

Canada, China, Guam, Hong Kong SAR, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States.

 

Landline calls:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia (Jakarta), Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Venezuela.

 

Microsoft acquired the Lumia phone line from Nokia after buying its mobile phone business. It also acquired videoconferencing service Skype some years back.

Click here to learn more about Skpe's free call offer. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News