Skype is offering its U.S.-based users one hour of free international calling to landline phones in 30 countries around the world.

Until June 30, 2006, U.S.-based Skype users new to SkypeOut, a product that allows Skype users to make calls from their PCs to any external phone line, can make up to 60 minutes of free calls to landline phones in countries including Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

The offer comes one month after the company announced that U.S. and Canadian-based Skype customers can make free SkypeOut calls to any landline or mobile phones in the U.S. or Canada until the end of the year. Previously, Skype users in both countries were required to pay for Skype calls from their PCs to traditional telephones.

As part of the company's activities to solidify Skype's position as the Internet's voice communication tool of choice, Skype has plans later this summer to offer its U.S.-based users free international calling periods to select countries.

As of today, all existing U.S.-based users who are new to SkypeOut and opt-in to receive Skype emails will receive an email when they log onto Skype. The email contains a link that users click to redeem 60 minutes of free international calling using SkypeOut. Users can then start making free international calls to 30 countries immediately.

Skype users will also now have the chance to benefit from Skype's premium products and online calling capabilities. Some of these products include sending SMS messages to mobile phones, purchasing ring tones or buying a picture to personalize their Skype profile.