Most regular phone plans don't charge for toll-free numbers you call in your own country, but what about toll-free numbers in other countries? Skype allows you to make free toll-free calls for your own country, and for other countries!!
Works with: all versions of Skype.
Many VoIP plans charge for what would otherwise be toll-free calls (1-800 and the like in the U.S. and other numbers elsewhere) under a regular phone plan. Indeed, until recently, Skype also charged for these types of calls.
Now, many toll-free calls are free when made using Skype. Even better, you don't have to be a SkypeOut subscriber to take advantage of making toll-free calls without paying a penny.
Regular phone plans normally don't charge for calling toll-free numbers in your own country, but that is not usually the case for toll-free numbers in other countries. In fact, such numbers might simply be blocked. With Skype toll-free calling, there is no such restriction.
Support for all types of toll-free numbers in all countries is not yet available. Skype currently supports the following countries and number prefixes:
France
+33-800, +33-805, +33-809
Poland
+48-800
United Kingdom
+44-500, +44-800, +44-808
United States and Canada
+1-800, +1-866, +1-877, +1-888
You can obtain toll-free directory assistance for some U.S. toll-free numbers by calling +1-800-555-1212. The service is free, but not all U.S. toll-free numbers are listedonly those for subscribers that choose to list them.
As already mentioned, you don't have to be a current SkypeOut subscriber to dial these toll-free numbers from anywhere. Just enter in Skype's address bar one of the prefixes listed earlier, along with the rest of the toll-free number, and click the big green call buttonyou'll be connected for free. If you call certain toll-free numbers on a regular basis, you might want to consider adding them to your Contacts list.
Lastly, if you've connected to a toll-free number and you have problems navigating an automated phone system using Skype's keypad (the "press 4 to get your account balance" sort of thing), "Avoid Problems with Interactive Telephone Services"
