The two companies have enjoyed a long, productive relationship, beginning with Skype's licensing of GIPS VoiceEngine PC in the summer of 2003. The result was the first PC-to-PC VoIP deployment to reach critical mass, allowing at first hundreds and then millions of users to connect and make free, high-quality phone calls. The rapid uptake of this technology signaled the beginning of a telecommunications revolution.

The agreement will help further accelerate VoIP migration as the North American market for IP phones is expected to double between 2006 and 2009, according to Infonetics Research.

"Skype has clearly revolutionized global personal communications with its offering," said Gary Hermansen, President and CEO of Global IP Sound. "This latest step in our relationship helps to solidify this growing market by expanding the options for Skype-enabled hardware devices and the ability for consumers to have a consistent, high-quality user experience regardless of platform."