On Monday, Nov. 5, the Microsoft-owned company Skype launched its own prepaid cards. Users of the video calling service now have a new way to purchase credit and the Skype Prepaid Cards will be available at major retailers in the UK.

"Skype today announced the availability of Skype Prepaid Cards, a new way for users in the UK to purchase Skype Credit and add premium features to the free software they already use. Skype is joined in this initiative by five of the UK's leading high street names, with Asda, Currys, PC World, Sainsburys' and WHSmith offering Skype Prepaid Cards in the gift card sections of their stores," noted the press release.

For Skype, the UK market launch follows that of Mexico. The prepaid cards are now available at more than 1400 stores in the UK, with the service indicating that there's "more to follow." Users will be able to purchase the Skype Credit at their preferred retail outlet and top-up their Skype account online, or gift the cards to friends and family.

"At Asda we are committed to helping our customers save money every day. We see Skype as an ideal way to make communicating more affordable, and the Skype Prepaid Cards will be available in over 200 stores over the coming months," said Katie Walley, Head of Cards and Lending at Asda Money

Skype Prepaid Cards will be available in two denominations: £10 and £20 and can easily be "redeemed online at skype.com against Skype paid features." The Skype Prepaid Cards offer benefits and features like sending low cost text messages, multiple video calling, unlimited calls to a country of the user's choice, affordable calls to both mobile and landlines around the world, and connection to nearly one million Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide

The launch of the prepaid cards is a significant step in Skype's retail strategy averred the service's Enrico Noseda , Head of Market Development for the EMEA region at Skype.

"We see Skype Prepaid Cards as yet another option for users to get more out of the Skype experience, either as a way to add Skype Credit to their account or as a perfect gift for friends and family to allow them to keep in touch more easily. The Skype Credit can be used in whichever way and on whichever device best suits the user, making it as easy as possible to be together whenever we are apart," noted Noseda.

The calling rates to mobile and landlines start at 1.6p per minute and the Skype Prepaid Cards are also redeemable against different subscription packages which include the following:

Unlimited Europe landlines - £4.99/month (£5.74 including VAT)

Unlimited World - £8.49/month (£9.76 including VAT)

Unlimited World including China - £13.49/month (£15.51 including VAT)

For additional details one can visit Skype's Prepaid Cards' page at ww.skype.com/go/prepaidcardUK.