Receiving SMS messages from mobile phones to Skype participants has been possible for a few weeks now. But with the implementation of Skype to SMS; well, let’s just say that this will really make a huge dent in my Skype usage. If this works, I will be able to send my own SMS messages to mobile users without having to…oh wait. It turns out that this is only for use in the UK during the test period! Argh! Well that sucks. Then again, at least it could be on its way to the states soon!

Users of the Internet phone service offered by Skype International may soon be able to send text messages to mobile phones thanks to a service that went into beta testing on Friday.

London-based Connectotel has developed technology that allows SMS (Short Message Service) messages to be sent to users of GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) handsets via Skype’s p-to-p (peer-to-peer) network, according to Connectotel’s business development and technical director, Spencer Gun.

Skype users could already receive SMS messages using the “SMS to Skype” service launched three weeks ago. Connectotel began a beta test of its “Skype to SMS” service with selected users on Friday, Gun said Friday. The beta test is currently limited to sending messages to the U.K. and it was unclear Friday when the service might be ready for commercial use.

To use the Skype to SMS service, Skype users must first add “smsgateway” to their list of contacts, and then initiate a chat session with that contact. Once they’ve initiated the session, they can add the U.K. phone number for the person they want to send the message to — in its full international format — followed by their message.

With the current SMS to Skype service, the mobile phone user pays to send the message. An international SMS is slightly more expensive than a national SMS, according to Gun.