Western Union and Microsoft-owned Skype Wednesday announced an agreement that enables Skype customers to top up their accounts at more than 50,000 Western Union Agent locations across the U.S.

Western Union said in a press release that the strategic alliance advances its market leadership in enabling digital age participation by using a walk-in payment product for consumers. It also paves the way for value-added offerings for companies with digital-rich content or online merchandisers seeking to attract new customers, according to the announcement.

Under the agreement, consumers can now use Western Union services to purchase Skype Credit, which enables calls to mobile and landlines worldwide. Calling rates start as low as 1 cent per minute. Skype Credit also offers the ability to send text messages directly from Skype to mobile phones, which is ideal for consumers wishing to stay in touch while traveling.

"The relationship is a logical one, as both Western Union and Skype have a mission to connect people when they are apart," said Odilon Almeida, president of the Americas and European Union for Western Union. "Western Union is optimizing its money transfer system to link cash and digital for money movement and payments across the globe. We are driving our innovation on the back of what our customers want. Skype is a classic example; where customers can enjoy full digital access with a walk-in payment option."