Skype Prime: get paid for your VoIP

(Credit: Skype)

Skype launched a new paid-by-the-minute service last night called Skype Prime. Like competitor Ether, Skype users can set their own per-minute rates that get charged to the caller. Skype Prime takes 30 percent of the fees to pay for the service, which is double Ether's 15 percent. The service is aimed mainly at consultants and other professionals looking for an easy way to monetize their phone calls.

Skype Prime users can set up as many types of paid-for calls as they want, with short descriptions and custom pricing. Each one is listed on your Skype profile for others to see. There are two options for pricing, either a one-time fee or by the minute. Setting up the service requires signing up with PayPal, which handles the fees.

Skype Prime requires both parties to use the latest Windows beta, which incidentally isn't in the version you download off Skype's front page.

If you're looking to find paid expert services, check out Wengo and BitWine.