Skype's New 'Visible' Voicemail: 25 Cents A Dance

On Tuesday, the Luxembourg-based company rolled out a new feature that lets users convert voicemail to text for a fee of 25 cents per message.

Using technology from SpinVox, voicemails are converted to text and then sent by Skype as an SMS text directly to mobile phone users. Currently, the service is available in English, Spanish, French and German.

Recipients of converted voicemail messages can listen to the full voice message by either signing into Skype or by calling their Skype To Go number. In addition, subscribers can opt to receive voicemail notification via SMS or for free by e-mail.

Each message that's converted to text will cost 25 cents on top of standard rates, depending on the length of the message. Additional SMS charges -- a maximum of three -- may apply depending on the length of the voicemail message. If someone leaves a long voicemail, Skype will dice up as much text as possible to fit into three messages.

Additionally, if messages can't be converted for some reason -- for example, if there is a lot of background noise when the message is spoken -- users will receive an alert, but will be charged at Skype's standard SMS rate, plus the 25 cents fee.

There are a couple of ways to save money using the "visible" voicemail, as Skype calls it. Users have the option to set a limit on the number of voicemail conversions received per day and to receive messages from people only in their contact list. An e-mail notification is sent if that limit is exceeded.

In addition, voicemails are not instantaneously converted to text -- there is a 10-minute gap before conversion that gives them a chance to listen to voicemails first.