Is There a Future for Skype's Free US Deal?

TDavid wonders what happens come January 1st. Will Skype extend the plan, seeing the value of the promotion in other revenue streams? Will they announce new service plans for US users, so they don't lose the customers? I'll put money down that they do nothing. On January 1, the deal expires, and Skype does what it has done since they got bought by eBay: Keep their heads in the sand. Skype doesn't offer one. Paying per minute is a quick way to get hosed, SkypeIn to have a home number, and buying SkypeOut credits for international calls. I know I am not the only Skype user who will not be buying hundreds of SkypeOut minutes if they remove the free offer. Skype isn't worth it. It isn't that good. I wonder if anyone is awake at the wheel at eBay/Skype. This is the most important issue for many US Skype users, and with 19 days to go, we're all looking at Vonage's rates. If Skype doesn't say something soon, any gains they made with this offer will be erased before they even realize it. Nathan Weinberg writes the popular InsideGoogle blog.