Skype has set its 'group calling' feature free on Mac, Windows and Xbox One.

According to TechCrunch, Skype introduced group video calling in 2010, but the feature has been a premium service for paying customers since it exited beta.

The reason behind this step is the increasing competition Skype is facing from other services such as Google Hangouts, which offered free group calling for free ever since it launched, the report added.

At present, the free group video support is limited to Mac, Windows and Xbox One, but Skype assures users that the support will extend to other platforms soon.